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AP-NORC poll: 17% approve of Trump on cost of living; 65% blame his policies

A new AP-NORC poll finds 17% of US adults approve of President Trump's handling of the cost of living and 26% of his handling of the economy, weeks before the midterms.

3 outlets · 1L · 2C · 0R First reported Account updated
Image: Gulf News
Image: The Independent
Image: The Times of India

1 / 3

The story, neutrally told

A new Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research poll finds that 17% of US adults approve of President Donald Trump's handling of the cost of living. Approval of his handling of the economy overall is 26%, a new low and 14 points below March 2025. A majority, 65%, say Trump's policies are more to blame for high prices than factors outside his control.

About half of adults are extremely or very concerned about affording gasoline, up from 39% in July, and about 7 in 10 say his handling of living costs is worse than expected. About 6 in 10 Republicans disapprove of his handling of the cost of living, up from about half in April, though 67% of Republicans still blame outside factors for high prices. The poll also found 69% say the Iran war has not been worth fighting, 28% approve of his handling of Iran, and 64% say he has gone too far on tariffs.

Border security is his strongest issue, with about half approving. Trump's 26% economic approval is close to Joe Biden's 28% in June 2022, but in October 2022 only 44% blamed Biden's policies for high prices. Times of India added a Wall Street Journal poll, cited by The Hill, putting Trump's overall approval at 37%.

Every sentence links to the reporting it rests on.

Left1 outlet

Framing
The Independent runs a condensed version of the AP poll story, leading on the 17% figure and voters blaming Trump's policies.
Emphasis
The headline numbers, tariffs and the Iran war, and the Biden comparison.
Leaves out or plays down
Omits Trump's rally schedule, his asking voters to pretend he is on the ballot, and much of the Republican voices' detail.
For example
“Public frustration over the economy and rising prices is weighing heavily on President Donald Trump ahead of the midterm elections” — The Independent

Centre2 outlets

Framing
Gulf News carries the full AP text; the Times of India rewrites it with the same figures, adding a Wall Street Journal poll.
Emphasis
Voter quotes, including Republicans, and the midterm stakes.
Leaves out or plays down
The Times of India leaves out AP's reference to Trump's asking voters to treat himself as on the ballot.
Charged language
“dismal numbers”“sinks”
For example
“The dismal numbers come just weeks before midterm elections that will determine whether Republicans maintain control of Congress” — Gulf News
“Americans are increasingly unhappy with President Donald Trump’s handling of the economy and rising prices” — The Times of India

Right0 outlets

No right outlet in our sources has covered this story yet.