Poll finds most say Trump policies worsen inflation

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(The Center Square) – A majority of Americans blame President Donald Trump's policies for worsening inflation, a new national poll finds, a reversal on the issue voters call the country's most important.

Sixty-one percent of adults say Trump's policies increase inflation, up from 45% in December 2024, before he returned to office, according to a Marquette University Law School poll. The share saying his policies would lower inflation fell to 21% from 41% over the same period. Trump's overall job approval rose 2 points to 40% from 38% in May, and most economic perceptions improved slightly.

Inflation and the cost of living ranked as the most important issue for 35% of the public, the top concern in every Marquette poll this year. The economy followed at 15%. Trump's approval on inflation stood at 24%. Twenty-one percent approved of his handling of gas prices, below his 40% overall job approval.

Consumer prices rose 3.5% over the year ending in June, federal data show, down from a 4.2% pace a month earlier. Energy climbed 15.7% over the same period, led by a 26.7% jump in gasoline. Grocery prices rose 2.7% and electricity 4%, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. The national average for gas was $4.08 a gallon on Wednesday, up from $3.16 a year earlier, according to AAA.

The share of voters describing their family as living comfortably dropped 10 points to 33% in late July from 43% in June, while those calling themselves worse off than a year ago held at 37%. About 69% expect inflation to rise over the next year.

The Marquette University Law School poll surveyed 1,076 adults nationwide July 22-29, with a margin of error of plus or minus 3.2 percentage points.