CBS–YouGov Poll: Americans Say Trump Not Focused Enough on Inflation, Still Prefer GOP on Economy
A new CBS News/YouGov poll of 2,523 U.S. adults conducted Jan. 14–16, 2026 finds that while most Republicans think President Trump has done more than expected in the first year of his second term, Americans overall — including many Trump voters — say he has not focused enough on lowering prices, which they see as the main yardstick for judging the economy. Majorities report their incomes are not keeping up with inflation and believe the administration is devoting too much attention to events overseas rather than to costs at home. Trump’s overall job and economic-approval numbers remain negative and have slipped among independents and younger adults over the past year, yet respondents still rate Trump and Republicans’ approaches to the economy and immigration more favorably than Democrats’ approaches, even as many Democrats lack confidence their party can effectively oppose him in Congress. The survey also shows a strong public preference for an independent Federal Reserve despite Trump’s public clashes with it, and it confirms that financial concerns — economy, jobs, prices — remain top priorities as immigration and international crises have also risen in importance after events in Minneapolis and abroad. The results underscore a political paradox: voters are unhappy with Trump’s handling of inflation but still give Republicans a relative edge on economic and border issues heading into another election year.
📌 Key Facts
- The CBS News/YouGov poll surveyed 2,523 U.S. adults Jan. 14–16, 2026, with a ±2.3‑point margin of error.
- Most Americans, including many Trump supporters, say the president has not focused enough on lowering prices and that their incomes are not keeping pace with inflation.
- Despite majority disapproval of Trump’s performance, respondents still say Trump and Republicans have a better approach than Democrats on the economy and immigration.
- Trump’s support has eroded over the past year among independents and younger adults, coinciding with weaker ratings on the economy and inflation.
- A large majority believes the Federal Reserve should make decisions independently of what the president wants, even as Trump publicly criticizes some Fed moves.
📊 Relevant Data
78% of Hispanics say Trump's policies harm their group, with views differing widely by 2024 voting patterns, and majorities disapproving of his policies on immigration and the economy.
Most Latinos Disapprove of Trump and Policies on Immigration, Economy — Pew Research Center
From the end of 2019 to the first quarter of 2025, Black households' average wealth increased 53% to about $352,000, while Hispanic households' average wealth rose 70% to $343,000, compared to White households' 20% increase to $1.66 million, showing persistent wealth gaps amid economic pressures like inflation.
The State of U.S. Household Wealth — St. Louis Fed
In 2024, inflation-adjusted median household income showed persistent racial and ethnic disparities, with White households at higher levels compared to Black, Hispanic, and American Indian/Alaska Native households.
New data explore U.S. economic conditions by race and ethnicity, including for American Indian and Alaska Native communities — Economic Policy Institute
Somalis began resettling in Minnesota in the 1990s under the 1980 Refugee Act following the Somali Civil War, with the population growing to form the largest Somali diaspora in the United States, estimated at over 80,000 in the Minneapolis-Saint Paul area by the 2020s.
History of Somalis in Minneapolis–Saint Paul — Wikipedia
From January 2021 to September 2025, U.S. consumer prices rose 22.7%, slightly outpacing wage growth at 21.8%, resulting in real hourly earnings down 0.7%.
Charted: U.S. Wages vs. Inflation (2021-2025) — Visual Capitalist
In a 2025 poll, young voters aged 18-29 showed lower approval of Trump's handling of the economy and immigration compared to older groups, with breakdowns by race showing varied sentiments.
Harvard Youth Poll — Harvard Institute of Politics
📰 Source Timeline (1)
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