3 in 4 Americans Don’t Feel Better Off Under Donald Trump: Poll

Americans' anxiety about their financial situation has grown under President Donald Trump, according to a new poll.

A 1,000-person survey conducted by Clever Real Estate published this week found that 26 percent of Americans feel better off than in September, with only a third (34 percent) saying they expect a better financial situation six months from now.

Sixty-three percent of those surveyed said they believe the government is not doing enough to address key economic issues, which they single out as rising insurance costs (95 percent), inflation (94 percent) and the general state of the economy (89 percent).

Why It Matters

The survey, one of several in recent weeks reflecting growing pessimism among consumers, underscores the anxiety Americans are experiencing about the state of the U.S. economy. It also suggests a pessimistic view of the economic policies of the Trump administration, which were key focuses of the president's White House campaign.

A sustained decline in economic confidence has already shown signs of translating into weaker consumer spending—estimated to account for over two-thirds of the country's GDP—and could spell further difficulty for U.S. businesses and the economy at large, while exacerbating existing fears that the country is on the brink of a recession. It could also spell trouble for President Donald Trump and Republicans in the 2026 midterms.

U.S. President Donald Trump listens to a reporter's question during an Ambassador Meeting in the Cabinet Room of the White House on March 25, 202...Read More | Win McNamee/Getty Images/Getty Images

What To Know

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The poll also revealed that nearly three-quarters (74 percent) of Americans believe inflation will worsen over the next year, with 70 percent expressing greater concern about inflation now than in September and only 39 approving of Trump's approach to managing it.

Clever Real Estate's survey, conducted from March 5 to March 9, found that nearly all those surveyed (95 percent) were concerned about price increases ahead.

Eighty-one percent of Americans expressed concern about tariffs or the possibility of a global trade war, with 49 percent expressing extreme worry. Almost three-quarters (72 percent) expect tariffs to have an overall negative impact on the economy.

A majority (58 percent) reported scaling back on nonessential expenses in anticipation of the 2025 economic climate, with many admitting to cutting back on clothing (45 percent), fuel/gas (34 percent) and groceries (47 percent).

In late February, Walmart CEO Doug McMillon said that "budget-pressured" customers were exhibiting "stressed behaviors," such as opting for smaller-sized purchases.

The poll echoes the results of the University of Michigan's consumer sentiment survey, released March 14.

The Consumer Sentiment Index dropped by 10.5 percent to 57.8 points between February and March, the third consecutive drop and a 22 percent decline from December. According to the report, confidence declined across all demographics, including age, education, income, political affiliation, and geographic region.

Consumers' assessments of their current economic conditions also dropped, alongside their future expectations for the health of the U.S. economy. Year-ahead inflation expectations rose from 4.3 percent to 4.9 percent, the highest level since November 2022.

On Tuesday, the Conference Board released its monthly report on U.S. consumer sentiment.

The closely monitored Consumer Confidence Index fell 7.2 points in March to 92.9, lower than the expected six-point drop. This marked the fourth straight month of declines, which have brought the index to its lowest level since January 2021. The Expectations Index—which weighs the outlook for income, business and labor market conditions—tumbled to 65.2, its lowest level in 12 years and below the 80-mark threshold the Conference Board said "usually signals a recession ahead."

What People Are Saying

Walmart CEO Doug McMillon said at a late-February event hosted by the Economic Club of Chicago: "You can see that the money runs out before the month is gone, you can see that people are buying smaller pack sizes at the end of the month."

Stephen Miran, chair of the Council of Economic Advisers, told CNBC: "I just don't think that there's been a very strong correlation between the [consumer] confidence data and actual consumer spending in recent years. And if you go out in the street, people are going about their lives, you know, they're getting their paychecks, they're spending their paychecks. The economy is marching on ahead."

Bill Adams, Chief Economist for Comerica Bank, in an analysis shared with Newsweek: "Consumers are spooked by headlines about higher tariffs and trade war, DOGE cuts, and the stock market selloff. When people fear for their jobs, they will cut back on discretionary spending on vacations and going out, and delay big purchases like new houses, cars, or appliances. Discretionary consumer spending is likely to weaken near-term."

What Happens Next

The University of Michigan will release its next report on consumer sentiment on Friday.

The Trump administration recently introduced new tariffs, which respondents to the survey pointed to as a key economic concern. On Wednesday, Trump announced a 25 percent tariff on all automobile imports to the U.S. The tariffs on vehicles will take effect on April 3, while those placed on imported automobile parts will take effect "no later than May 3."