Opinion Today: Topline
Selected links from the May 12, 2026, edition of Opinion Today
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
Americans Say US Tariffs on China Have Been Bad for Both Nations Craig Kafura, Chicago Council on Global Affairs
Americans don't think Trump has explained Iran war goals, Reuters/Ipsos poll shows Jason Lange, Reuters
Two-thirds say rising gas prices have affected their household finances Alec Tyson, Ryan Tully and Bernard Mendez, Ipsos
Americans See Health Care Costs, Deficit, Inflation as Big Problems Facing the Nation Shanay Gracia and Steven Shepard, Pew Research Center
Voters Lukewarm On U.S.-Iran War, As Majority Oppose Use Of Ground Troops In Iran: I&I/TIPP Poll Terry Jones, tippinsights
30% of Americans Think At Least One of the Trump Assassination Attempts Were ‘Staged’ Sofia Rubinson and Samantha Tanner, NewsGuard's Reality Check
The Pro-Life Democrat Is a Politically Endangered Species Ryan Burge, Graphs about Religion
Redistricting Makes the House Map a Bit Redder, but Not By Enough to Protect Republicans from a Wave Kyle Kondik, Sabato’s Crystal Ball On redistricting, Democrats are playing as the away team Nate Silver, Silver Bulletin Democrats Target New States to Win Redistricting War Tarini Parti, The Wall Street Journal [unlocked] Supreme Court Blows Open the Political Fault Line Markschulman’s Substack Betraying Democracy Politics by Bill Schneider As Republicans carve up Black districts, Democrats pivot to a new midterm message Andrew Howard, Politico The Great Crime Decline Josh Waldman, Briefing Book The cage match is on for tickets to Trump’s UFC fight at the White House Jonathan Allen, Peter Nicholas, Matt Dixon, Henry J. Gomez and Allan Smith, NBC News Pennsylvania Supreme Court Justice Quits the Democratic Party Torrie Herrington, NOTUS Gallup Begins Research on Simulated Responses Jenny Marlar and Zacc Ritter, Gallup
There’s much more in today’s FULL edition of Opinion Today:
PLAYLIST
Can Public Health Win Back The Public?
GD POLITICSChalkboard Politics: Can Civil-Military Norms Survive a Polarized America?
Good AuthorityTamara Keith and Amy Walter on the midterm outlook following redistricting legal battles
PBS News Hour