Opinion Today
May 12, 2026
Americans’ anger about the economy hits Trump and Republicans’ midterm prospects Ariel Edwards-Levy, CNN It’s President Donald Trump’s economy – and most Americans aren’t happy with it. A new CNN poll conducted by SSRS finds that 77% – including a majority of Republicans – say that Trump’s policies have increased the cost of living in their own community. Roughly two-thirds of Americans say that Trump’s policies have worsened economic conditions in the country. And Trump’s approval rating stands at 30% on the economy, a career low.
As Trump goes to China, what do Americans say about tariffs, Iran and world standing? Domenico Montanaro, NPR News As President Trump embarks Tuesday on his first trip to Beijing of his second term to meet with Chinese President Xi Jinping, Americans largely view China as an economic rival seeking global dominance, according to an NPR/Chicago Council on Global Affairs/Ipsos poll. But Americans also want to maintain a strong trading relationship with China and would like to see tariffs reduced to keep costs to U.S. consumers down.
Americans Say US Tariffs on China Have Been Bad for Both Nations Craig Kafura, Chicago Council on Global Affairs Two Chicago Council-NPR-Ipsos surveys, conducted in the United States March 13-15 and May 1-3, 2026, find that Americans see tariffs on Chinese imports as having been bad for both sides.... As a May 1-3 Chicago Council-NPR-Ipsos poll finds, most Americans see China playing a negative role in resolving the key problems facing the Middle East (73%, 20% positive).
Americans don't think Trump has explained Iran war goals, Reuters/Ipsos poll shows Jason Lange, Reuters Two out of three Americans think President Donald Trump has not clearly explained why the country went to war with Iran, according to a Reuters/Ipsos poll completed on Monday that also showed his approval rating ticking up from the lowest level of his term.
Two-thirds say rising gas prices have affected their household finances Alec Tyson, Ryan Tully and Bernard Mendez, Ipsos A new Reuters/Ipsos poll conducted May 8-11 finds that 64% of Americans say that recent increases in gas prices have affected their household’s financial situation, with a large majority (83%) expecting gas prices to continue to rise in the next month. With gas prices approaching all-time highs, 86% of Americans say the conflict with Iran bears a great deal or fair amount of responsibility for the recent rise in prices.
Americans See Health Care Costs, Deficit, Inflation as Big Problems Facing the Nation Shanay Gracia and Steven Shepard, Pew Research Center Economic issues continue to dominate Americans’ ranking of the top problems facing the country. And over the course of the last year, the shares who view issues like health care affordability and the budget deficit as very big problems have risen.
Voters Lukewarm On U.S.-Iran War, As Majority Oppose Use Of Ground Troops In Iran: I&I/TIPP Poll Terry Jones, tippinsights President Donald Trump has worked hard to forge a deal to end the U.S.-Iran war and avoid a wider conflict. But, as the latest I&I/TIPP Poll shows, Americans remain sharply split over the U.S. military action, and strongly oppose sending ground troops into Iran.
KFF Health Tracking Poll: Public Views on Foreign Aid and Global Health Spending KFF When it comes to assessing the impact of the changes the Trump administration has made to foreign aid and global health, majorities of the public say these changes have had a negative impact on “how people around the world view the U.S.” (64%) and on “the health of people in developing countries” (59%).
