Overview
- A Financial Times–commissioned Focaldata survey conducted Aug. 7–10, 2026 of 1,913 registered voters found about 53% say their household finances have worsened since Trump returned to the White House.
- The same poll reported that roughly 64% of respondents believe the U.S. economy is moving in the wrong direction and 55% disapprove of Trump’s overall job performance.
- Voters trust Democrats more than Republicans on inflation, the cost of living, jobs and the broader economy, and Democrats hold a lead on a generic midterm ballot.
- Coverage and analysts link the drop in consumer sentiment to 3.4% July inflation, falling real wages and price and borrowing-cost pressures tied to the U.S. war with Iran.
- The White House defended its record through spokesman Kush Desai, while strategists warn the poll’s shifts in independents and weakening Republican support could affect control of Congress and increase the scope of post‑election oversight.