Two-Thirds Say Trump Hurt Economy

About two-thirds of voters nationally say Donald Trump’s policies have worsened economic conditions in the United States. Only about three in 10 respondents said his policies have improved the economy. Similarly, roughly two-thirds of voters reported that Trump’s tariff policies have hurt the national economy or their local area. The survey indicates that enthusiasm for the president’s leadership is low among the midterm electorate.

The poll results provide context for Tuesday’s elections, which will determine the balance of power in Congress for the final two years of Trump’s presidency. If Republicans lose control of either chamber, Democratic-led investigations are expected to focus on the administration’s business dealings and policies. The political spotlight would also shift toward the 2028 presidential campaign. Trump has repeatedly urged voters to “pretend I’m on the ballot,” making the results a direct referendum on his leadership.

Democrats have viewed Trump’s prominent campaign presence as a reminder of who to blame for the state of the economy, the top concern for many voters. Sen. Andy Kim, D-N.J., who campaigned in Iowa, Georgia, and Texas, said the strategy is working. “Trump’s desire to have everyone think that he’s on the ballot? Like, it’s happening,” Kim said. “Everyone is thinking about him and the harm that he has done to them directly.”

If Republicans retain their majorities, Trump will likely emerge with a stronger grip on the party. He spent Tuesday at the White House planning to watch the election results at a private reception. However, the president has also braced for the possibility of Democratic control. He told a crowd in Oklahoma that if Democrats take power, they could impeach him again. “I’ve become very good at beating them in impeachment,” Trump said.

Democratic leaders have outlined specific targets for potential investigations. Rep. Robert Garcia, who would lead the House Oversight Committee if Democrats win the House, plans to examine immigration and detention policies. He recently visited an Immigration and Customs Enforcement processing center in southern California. Garcia also listed the Trump family’s business dealings and the handling of the Jeffrey Epstein investigation as priorities. A Democratic majority would have subpoena powers and committee control to compel responses from the White House.

Trump has signaled he is prepared for legislative fights, citing his veto power. “I hope that that won’t be the case, but if it is, that’s happened before with many presidents,” Trump told reporters last week. He added that presidents with a strong veto often end up working out deals. Some Democratic lawmakers, including potential House Speaker Hakeem Jeffries, have suggested targeting top Cabinet members rather than the president directly. Jeffries said at an October rally, “I’m here to say, one of the first things we’re going to do in the majority, we’re going to run Pete Hegseth out of town.”

In the final weeks of the campaign, Trump held a series of rallies, often in deeply Republican areas. He staged a two-day Republican convention in Dallas and promised to send $5,000 to every adult if his party wins. His closing address took place at the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool, where he spent an hour discussing the beautification of Washington, D.C. “So, we have a lot of great things planned for Washington, and I could get into the nation,” Trump said. “But for that, you don’t have enough time.”