CBS News poll finds many voice frustration with Trump's economic approach

Politics Stress, uncertainty as economy views decline; many voice frustration with Trump's economic approach, CBS News poll finds By Anthony Salvanto, Anthony Salvanto CBS News Director of Elections and Surveys Anthony Salvanto, Ph.D., is CBS News' executive director of elections and surveys. He oversees the CBS News Poll and all surveys across topics and heads the CBS News Decision Desk that estimates outcomes on election nights Read Full Bio Anthony Salvanto, Fred Backus, Jennifer De Pinto May 17, 2026 / 8:00 AM EDT / CBS News Add CBS News on Google Big numbers of Americans are concerned and stressed about finances, and feelings of being secure and content about them are down from this time last year. It's all part of increasingly bad views of the U.S. economy.Those ratings, which have long been low, have slid even lower — to levels not seen since 2023. Three-quarters say incomes aren't keeping up with inflation.Americans also describe the economy as "uncertain" and that speaks to both short and long-term concerns.Most immediately, as they say gas prices are increasingly weighing on them, people don't feel there's clarity on what's happening in Iran or day to day in the Strait of Hormuz. More broadly, there's frustration with President Trump's economic approach; neither party is net-positive on its helping with the cost of living; and there's plenty of worry that AI will take jobs, too. A growing number feel opportunities are worse for them than for their parents' generation. IranOne reason so many describe the U.S. economy as uncertain is that with Iran conflict impacting gas prices, most Americans feel they aren't getting a clear understanding of what's happening day to day in the Strait of Hormuz.  And so far, most don't think the conflict has helped U.S. economic interests.  Perceptions of military success are comparatively higher. But many say it's too soon to say, and it is mixed at best on whether it is advancing U.S. strategic int...