Consumer sentiment hits all-time low as gas hits $4.55

Two-thirds of Americans believe President Donald Trump is prioritizing his immigration crackdown at the expense of their economic wellbeing, according to multiple polls released this week that paint a stark portrait of voter discontent as Memorial Day weekend approaches. A Morris Predictive Insights survey found 68% of respondents think the administration is too focused on mass deportions and not enough on affordability issues, while the University of Michigan's Consumer Sentiment Index crashed to an all-time low of 44.8 in May. The university survey noted that 57% of consumers spontaneously mentioned high prices eroding their personal finances, up from 50% last month, with short-term inflation expectations rising to 4.8% and long-term expectations jumping to 3.9%. The economic anxiety comes as US fuel prices stand at their highest levels in years, with the nationwide average hitting $4.55 per gallon on Friday, up $1.35 from a year ago, driven by escalating tensions with Iran. A separate Gallup poll showed confidence in the economy at a four-year low, with 49% of respondents rating current economic conditions as poor and just 16% calling them excellent or good. Trump's approval rating on the economy has plummeted to 29% in a Fox News poll, down 5 percentage points from a month ago, with even 36% of non-MAGA Republicans disapproving of his economic stewardship. The polling reveals political vulnerability across Trump's base, with 36% of his 2024 voters believing his administration has the wrong priorities, rising to 70% among those who have abandoned their support. More than one-quarter of loyal Trump voters, 27%, believe the president is on the wrong track. Trump's disapproval ratings on the economy now sit at minus 35% and on immigration at minus 13%. A majority of voters, 53%, favor redirecting spending from immigration enforcement toward reducing food and grocery costs or lowering health expenses, while 56% say mass deportation is damaging the economy by raising costs for American families. The polling poses significant risks for Republicans in upcoming congressional elections, with 16% of Trump's 2024 voters indicating they no longer plan to vote for the party, primarily citing the faltering economy and rising living costs.