Trump declares he owns the economy as voters remain unconvinced
Feb 24th 2026
The president says the economy is his to claim, but polls show broad disapproval and persistent inflation amid mixed labor-market signals ahead of the State of the Union and midterms.
- Trump announced publicly that the economy is now his message and will push it in the State of the Union and midterm campaigns.
- A Washington Post-ABC News-Ipsos poll found majorities disapprove of Trump’s handling of the economy, inflation and tariffs.
- Employers added 130,000 jobs in January and the unemployment rate fell to 4.3 percent.
- Average hourly earnings rose 3.7 percent year over year in January, producing modest real income gains as wages outpaced prices.
- Inflation remains sticky and affordability is likely to be a decisive issue for voters in November.