A recent CBS News/YouGov poll reveals that most Americans blame Trump’s policies for rising grocery prices and inflationary pressure on households.
When asked about food prices, 58% of American adults responded that food prices have risen in “recent weeks.”
Based on the poll, CBS said there is a disconnect between how Americans perceive the White House’s description of the economy and how they themselves feel.
Most Americans say Trump describes the situation with prices and inflation as better than it really is.
Likewise, the economic discontent of most Americans is growing, according to the CBS survey, as they believe President Trump’s policies are driving up grocery prices, particularly for basic goods.
- 65% of respondents say Trump’s policies are driving up grocery prices.
- 21% say there has been no change in food prices.
- 14% say grocery prices have dropped.
Tariffs Are Driving Inflation Pressure
Economists warn that the 2025 tariff hikes are driving up prices. A report from the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis found the new levies already put upward pressure on consumer prices, though full pass-through hasn’t occurred yet.
The study estimates a 0.8%–1.6% price increase for a portion of the consumer basket, with broader inflation risk if costs spread to other goods.
- 75 % say tariffs will likely raise prices in the short term.
- Only about 25 % feel they are financially better off under Trump’s plans; nearly half say they’re worse off.
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Persistent Economic Frustration
A CBS News poll from August–September 2025 shows two in three Americans say prices keep rising, and expect them to continue.
Households that report higher prices are more likely to describe their personal finances as poor or deteriorating.
Latino Community Shows Rising Discontent
Meanwhile, a survey by the Pew Research Center, released in November 2025, shows that most Latinos in the US view the American economy with pessimism.
Approximately half of the Latinos surveyed expect economic conditions to worsen in 2026, while a smaller percentage expect them to improve (28%) or remain the same (23%).
For many Latinos, concerns about inflation, grocery prices, housing, and healthcare outweigh immigration as a priority.
- 70% U.S. Latinos disapprove of Trump’s overall job performance.
- 61% believe his economic policies worsened national conditions.
- 68% believe that the situation for Hispanics in the U.S. has worsened in the past year.
- 63% rate their financial situation as “fair or poor.”
Rising discontent over inflation and the cost of living, especially among Latinos, a key voter bloc, could reshape political dynamics. As public trust erodes, the pressure mounts on the administration and its trade agenda.

