Those ratings, which had been low for a long time, have fallen even further – to levels not seen since 2023. Three-quarters say income is not increasing inflation.
Americans also describe the economy as “uncertain” and this reflects both short-term and long-term concerns.
Most immediately, as they say gas prices are creeping up on them, people don’t feel there is any clarity on this. What is happening in Iran or day by day strait of hormuz.
More broadly, there is disappointment with President Trump’s economic outlook; Neither party is entirely positive about helping with cost of living; And there is a lot of concern about it AI will take over jobsVery.
Increasing numbers of people feel that opportunities for them are worse than for their parents’ generation.
iran
One of the reasons many people describe the US economy as uncertain is that due to the Iran conflict affecting gas prices, most Americans feel they do not have a clear understanding of what is happening day-to-day in the Strait of Hormuz.
And so far, most do not think the conflict has helped American economic interests.
Perceptions of military success are comparatively high. But many say it is too early to tell and are mixed on whether it also advances US strategic interests.
And this fits with the mixed perception of who has the overall advantage at the moment, with many saying neither side.
President Trump
Mr Trump is paying some political price for all this.
First, two-thirds of the country says the president’s policies are making the economy worse, at least in the short term. Some in the administration have urged patience, but there is relatively more optimism that his policies will make it better in the long run.
Most Americans describe their feelings about the administration’s economic outlook as either “disappointed” or “angry.”
Hence, his ratings for his handling of the economy and inflation continue to decline.
Even among Republicans — who still give him great marks on other fronts — his ratings for his handling of inflation are falling, especially since the Iran conflict and rising oil prices.
A third of Republicans who give him negative marks on inflation say they are “disappointed” rather than “angry” about his administration’s approach to the economy.
There is now a substantial gap between the marks Republicans give the president on immigration (89%), or overall (85%), and the marks they give specifically on inflation (63%).
And the president’s overall approval has also declined again, now at its lowest point in his second term.
Politics
Many Americans do not see any answer from the Democrats either.
Neither party is seen by the majority as helping with the cost of living, although they give the Democrats a relative edge here.
Despite all the above troubles for Mr. Trump, the Democrats are not seen as much better in their approach to economic policy. There is a large third who think neither side is better, or they are not sure.
looking ahead
There are many other uncertainties in the economy as well. Most people worry that it will be difficult for them to find the job they want.
And most people are worried that AI will take over jobs.
Going forward, the outlook for the US economy is leaning towards pessimism, with most people expecting either a recession or slowdown.
All this comes against the backdrop of an economy that chooses the word “uncertain” among a list of descriptors, and in which the word “unfair” is used more than “reasonable.”
Pessimism about the economy is making people—especially Americans under fifty—feel worse about their chances than their parents’ generation.
This CBS News/YouGov survey was conducted between May 13-15, 2026, with a nationally representative sample of 2,064 U.S. adults. Based on the U.S. Census American Community Survey and Current Population Survey, as well as the 2024 Presidential Vote, this sample was weighted as representative of adults nationwide by gender, age, race, and education. The margin of error is ±2.7 points.
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