Trump gets high marks on border security but struggles on economy in poll

While President Donald Trump receives positive reviews on border security and public safety, the economy remains a weakness. Prices are a problem for most voters, as only a small number feel they are getting ahead financially, and more than half think things are worse under the new White House.

By a 22-point margin, a Fox News national survey finds that more voters say the Trump administration has made the economy worse (52%) rather than better (30%). 

Those sentiments are almost identical to how they felt about the Biden administration and are the reverse of how voters felt eight years ago during Trump’s first term.

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The survey was completed before Turning Point USA Founder Charlie Kirk’s assassination Wednesday.

Ratings of the economy continue to be negative by more than 2-to-1 (71% negative vs. 29% positive). That’s roughly where things stood when Trump took office.

As has been the case for more than four years, fewer than 15% say they are getting ahead financially, while at least three times that number say they are falling behind.

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Yet, in some areas, voters say things are not as bad. A year ago, 48% said gas prices were a “major” problem for their families. Now 33% feel that way, down 15 points. Likewise, a smaller share says housing costs (by 11 points) and grocery prices (by 8 points) are a major problem.

It’s the opposite on utility (+2 points) and healthcare costs (+7), as more people call those a major problem.

Still, large majorities describe each of these costs as either a minor or major problem.

“The question former President Biden’s team was asking a year ago was whether voters would get used to an $8 dollar box of cereal, and the answer was no,” says Republican pollster Daron Shaw, who conducts Fox News surveys with his Democratic counterpart, Chris Anderson. 

“I think the Trump team is finding this dynamic still holds. It’s not enough that prices aren’t rising. They need to come down. If not, 2026 will be a bad year for the GOP.” 

Voters’ persistent negativity about the economy was at least somewhat validated by a recent Labor Department report that showed the 2024 employment estimates were much weaker than initially thought.

The economy remains by far the most important issue to voters (37%). That’s followed by immigration and…