President Trump says the country will see an economic boom in 2026, but two-thirds of Americans expect their finances to be worse off or the same a year from now, according to a new poll.
An Economic/YouGov survey released on Wednesday said only 23% of people expect to be better off financially by the end of the next year. It’s the smallest share to feel that way since August 2024.
A slightly greater share, at 25%, believe they will be worse off, while 41% say they will be stuck in neutral.
The share who expect no change is notable, because it’s the highest level since the pollsters started asking the question regularly in mid-2024.
The year-end poll speaks to the so-called affordability crisis that dominated politics in 2025.
Mr. Trump vowed to bring down costs, and rates of annual inflation have cooled to a relatively mild 3% — far below the 9% peak during the Biden years but above the Federal Reserve target of 2%.
Still, many Americans say it’s difficult to keep up with high prices for food, rent and utilities, and Democrats used those complaints to win big elections in New York City, New Jersey and Virginia in November.
Mr. Trump says pessimism around the economy is unfounded. He contends his tariffs on foreign goods will balance the U.S. budget while driving investment in manufacturing that will create good-paying jobs.
He also says Americans will enjoy bigger tax refunds and tax breaks from his One Big Beautiful Bill.
The economy grew by a surprisingly robust 4.3% in the third quarter, driven by an increase in exports and consumer spending.
“The TARIFFS are responsible for the GREAT USA Economic Numbers JUST ANNOUNCED … AND THEY WILL ONLY GET BETTER!” Mr. Trump wrote on Truth Social.
Yet the new polling shows lagging optimism even among members of Mr. Trump’s party.
Only 40% of Republicans expect their finances to improve in a year, down from 67% at the start of the president’s term.
Among independents, 16% expect to be better off in a year, down from 31% in January.
The drop among Democrats hasn’t been as steep, though they started with low expectations. Only 14% expect to be better off, compared with 18% at the start of the year.
Congressional Democrats say Mr. Trump is too focused on the welfare of corporations and the wealthy rather than on everyday consumers. They say tariffs, or duties on foreign goods, are elevating the prices of certain products.
Also, Democrats are fixating on Obamacare costs that are set to rise for over 20 million users when supersized government subsidies expire in the new year.
“Beginning tomorrow, American families will face a health care crisis that was entirely preventable — caused by Republican obstruction and total inaction,” Senate Minority Leader Charles E. Schumer, New York Democrat, said Wednesday.
Mr. Trump and his GOP allies say Democrats increased government subsidies to paper over economic flaws in Obamacare’s model instead of addressing the cost of health care.
The White House and GOP majorities in Congress are exploring new ideas to help Americans afford health care, but have not passed a plan.
The Economist/YouGov poll was conducted from Dec. 26-29 among 1,550 citizens. It had a margin of error of about 3.5%.
• Tom Howell Jr. can be reached at thowell@washingtontimes.com.
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