Nearly one year into Donald Trump’s second term, the Trump economy among Latinos draws widespread criticism as rising living costs strain household finances.
Latino adults across the United States describe today’s economic climate as complex and uncertain, according to a new Pew Research Center report.
The survey, conducted in October 2025, shows that 78% of Hispanic adults rate national economic conditions as only fair or poor. By contrast, just 22% describe them as excellent or good.
At the same time, expectations for the year ahead remain bleak. Nearly half of respondents (49%) expect the economy to worsen in 2026. Only 28% expect improvement.
“Food prices keep rising, and my paycheck doesn’t stretch.”
— Survey respondent
Notably, this outlook holds across age groups, income levels, and regions. Together, the findings reinforce the negative assessment of the Trump economy among Latinos.
That assessment sharply contrasts with Trump’s campaign pledge to strengthen the economy and lower household costs.
Food and Housing Costs Drive Anxiety
Above all, food prices dominate economic concerns. Pew reports that 81% of Latinos worry, to some extent, about grocery costs.
As a result, many families report spending more at supermarkets while buying less. Meanwhile, shoppers report paying closer attention to weekly promotions to manage shrinking budgets.
“Housing costs make it impossible to plan for the future.”
— Survey respondent
This concern cuts across political lines. Whether respondents approve of the White House or not, most agree that feeding a family now takes a larger share of income.
In fact, 67% report feeling very worried about food and basic goods. Another 65% express strong concern about housing costs. Both figures exceed worries about gasoline prices (53%) and job availability (50%).
Even among Latino Republicans, daily expenses weigh heavily on household finances.
Personal Finances Under Continued Strain
Beyond national trends, the Trump economy among Latinos has had an impact at home. Nearly two-thirds of respondents (63%) describe their personal financial situation as fair or poor.
Pew documents widespread difficulty covering essential expenses:
Overall, 48% report difficulty paying at least one basic expense over the past year, underscoring that inflation continues to outpace wage growth.
Trump Policies Seen as Harmful
Economic dissatisfaction also shapes views of the administration’s policies. According to the survey, 61% of Latinos say Trump’s economic policies have worsened conditions.
In contrast, only 15% believe those policies improved the economy. Another 22% say they made little difference.
More broadly, 78% of Latino adults say Trump’s policies have harmed Hispanics, up from 69% during his first term.
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Limited Optimism Ahead
Still, some optimism remains. About half of Latinos expect their personal finances to improve in 2026, even as they anticipate further weakness in the national economy.
For many households, the Trump economy among Latinos does not exist as an abstract debate. Instead, it shapes daily choices about groceries, rent, and which bills can wait until the next paycheck.