CNN Poll: A growing majority says Trump has made the economy worse, with most skeptical of his tariff plans

A 59% majority of the public now says President Donald Trump’s policies have worsened economic conditions in the country, according to a new CNN poll, up from 51% in March.

A 59% majority of the public now says President Donald Trump’s policies have worsened economic conditions in the country, according to a new CNN poll conducted by SSRS, up from 51% in March and on par with the worst numbers Joe Biden saw during his presidency. Americans remain broadly unhappy with the nation’s economy, the survey finds, and there’s little enthusiasm for the White House’s sweeping new trade policies. With the impact of new tariffs still largely to come, 6 in 10 already say that Trump’s policies have increased the cost of living in their community, with just 12% saying his agenda has helped to bring prices down. Overall, 69% of the public considers an economic recession in the next year to be at least somewhat likely, including 32% who say that’s very likely. Just 34% of Americans call themselves enthusiastic or optimistic about the economy, with 29% saying they’re pessimistic and 37% that they’re afraid. Seven in 10 of those younger than age 45 express pessimism or fear, as do 76% of Americans of color. The widespread unhappiness with Trump’s economic stewardship marks a new chapter for a president who saw mostly positive ratings for his handling of the economy during his first term. Trump, who pledged during the 2024 campaign to ” immediately bring prices down, starting on Day One,” won handily among voters last year who said they were primarily motivated by economic concerns, according to CNN’s exit poll “Everything I worked for all my life is rapidly [disappearing],” one Republican man surveyed, a 59-year-old from Georgia who worried about nearing retirement amid volatility in the stock market, wrote in response to the poll. “It will probably take years to recover what I have lost due to what’s going on.” Still, Republican views of economic conditions overall have risen over the past month, and most in the GOP say they expect the tariffs to have positive long-term effects on the nation’s economy.