Two-Thirds Say Trump's Policies Are Worsening the Economy

A new CBS News poll released on May 18, 2026, reveals that 70 percent of Americans express frustration with President Trump's handling of the economy, with two-thirds indicating they believe the administration's policies are worsening economic conditions. The survey also found that 77 percent of respondents feel their incomes are failing to keep pace with inflation, suggesting widespread concern about purchasing power and cost of living pressures among the American public. The polling data comes amid ongoing scrutiny of the administration's economic agenda. According to the CBS News reporting by Ed O'Keefe, the findings indicate significant unease among voters about the direction of the economy and their personal financial situations. The poll suggests that despite any claims of economic progress, a substantial majority of Americans perceive a disconnect between their own financial experiences and official metrics or administration messaging about economic health. Reuters separately documented the president participating in a maternal health event at the White House on May 11, 2026, providing visual coverage of Trump's public schedule during the same period when economic polling was capturing negative sentiment. The timing of the poll release coincides with continued public debate over trade policy, tariff implementation, and inflation levels that have characterized the political discourse in recent months.