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In a revealing snapshot of America’s mood, a new Fox News national survey shows widespread discontent and economic anxiety among voters, with majorities expressing dissatisfaction with both the country’s direction and President Trump’s handling of key issues.
According to the poll released Thursday, nearly two-thirds of Americans (64%) are dissatisfied with how things are going in the United States. While this marks the highest dissatisfaction rating of President Trump’s second term, it represents a slight improvement from the 68% who expressed unhappiness at the end of the Biden administration in December 2024.
The survey paints a picture of a nation that feels disconnected from its leadership. Approximately 60% of voters believe the White House is out of touch with people like them, while similar proportions feel the same about congressional Republicans (61%) and Democrats (58%). Even within party lines, about a quarter of both Democrats and Republicans think their own party’s lawmakers are disconnected from everyday Americans.
President Trump’s approval ratings on specific issues show broad weakness, with inflation representing his most vulnerable point. Only 28% approve of his handling of inflation—a new low that has dropped 7 points since January and 12 points since March 2025. His approval on the economy stands at just 34%, another record low that has fallen 6 points since January.
Other policy areas reveal similar underwater ratings: healthcare (36% approve, 64% disapprove), Iran (36-64), taxes (36-64), foreign policy (38-62), and immigration (44-56). The president fares best on border security, where opinion is evenly split at 50-50.
Overall, Trump’s job performance rating sits at 41% approve and 59% disapprove—comparable to former President Obama’s 40-53% rating at a similar point in his second term. The 59% disapproval marks Trump’s highest negative rating across either of his terms.
The economy remains central to the national malaise, with 75% of voters saying economic conditions are poor—up 4 points since last month. This negative assessment spans party lines, including 91% of Democrats, 90% of independents, and 52% of Republicans.
Personal financial strain is a dominant theme in the findings. Nearly half of respondents (46%) report falling behind financially, approaching the record high of 47% set in June 2022. An alarming 61% say they could not miss more than two paychecks and still pay their bills—up from 54% in both 2019 and 2023. The percentage living paycheck-to-paycheck has jumped from 17% two years ago to 27% today, with this figure rising to 37% among households earning less than $50,000 annually.
Neither major political party has convinced voters it has solutions for economic challenges. About 68% say Democrats lack a clear plan to bring down prices, while 70% say the same about Republicans. More than 4 in 10 voters believe neither party has an effective approach.
“The issue environment in 2026 has almost completely flipped from 2022 and 2024,” says Daron Shaw, a Republican pollster who conducts the survey with Democrat Chris Anderson. “Voters don’t think either side has a plan, of course, but since the GOP is in charge, they shoulder the blame.”
Looking ahead, voters express pessimism about the economic outlook. A majority (53%) anticipate economic conditions will worsen in the coming year—up from 45% in January and more than double the proportion expecting improvement (25%). Only Republicans show optimism, while independents and Democrats foresee decline by wide margins.
Inflation tops the list of voter concerns, with 86% worried about high prices, including 57% who are “extremely concerned.” Other major worries include healthcare (81%), gas prices (80%), and political divisions (80%). Concerns about gas prices cross income levels, with approximately 80% of all income brackets—even those earning over $100,000—expressing worry.
On a separate policy issue, the survey found 69% of voters support birthright citizenship for children born in the United States to undocumented immigrants—up from 67% in 2025 and significantly higher than the 45% support when Fox first asked the question in 2006. This issue will come before the Supreme Court on April 1.
The Fox News survey was conducted March 20-23, 2026, with a random sample of 1,001 registered voters, carrying a margin of error of plus or minus 3 percentage points.
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12 Comments
Inflation seems to be the biggest vulnerability for the President, which is understandable given its impact on household budgets. Curious to see if this dynamic holds as the election cycle progresses.
Yes, the President’s low approval rating on inflation will be a key factor. Voters are clearly prioritizing economic issues, so how the administration responds could sway public sentiment.
This poll highlights the urgent need for political leaders to reconnect with the everyday concerns of citizens. Rebuilding trust and restoring a sense of shared purpose will be crucial for the country moving forward.
Well said. Responsive, accountable governance that addresses the real-world challenges facing Americans should be the top priority for policymakers of all stripes.
Interesting to see the disconnect between citizens and their elected representatives, even within party affiliations. This underscores the importance of genuine political reform and more effective constituent engagement.
Yes, this is a concerning trend. Policymakers need to find ways to better understand and address the real-world concerns of their constituents, rather than pursuing narrow ideological agendas.
The high levels of dissatisfaction across party lines point to a broader crisis of confidence in political institutions. This poll suggests the need for reforms to make government more responsive and accountable.
Agreed. Rebuilding trust will require bipartisan solutions that address the root causes of voter frustration, not just partisan point-scoring. A pragmatic, problem-solving approach is needed.
The data on presidential approval ratings is quite striking, especially the President’s vulnerability on inflation. Curious to see how this evolves as the economic situation and political dynamics continue to shift.
Agreed, the inflation numbers will be a key metric to watch. Voters are feeling the squeeze on their household budgets, so the President’s ability to address those concerns could be pivotal.
Interesting to see the level of dissatisfaction with leadership and disconnect from the electorate. This poll highlights the need for more responsive and accountable governance that truly represents the concerns of everyday Americans.
I agree, the data suggests a growing divide between the political class and the people they serve. Restoring trust will require meaningful reforms and a renewed focus on addressing the real economic challenges facing citizens.