Podcast Summary

Podcast: The NPR Politics Podcast
Episode: Americans Give Trump Low Marks On The Economy In New Poll
Air Date: December 17, 2025
Host(s): Tamara Keith, Danielle Kurtzleben, Domenico Montanaro

Episode Overview

This episode centers on the findings of a new NPR/PBS News/Marist poll revealing that a growing majority of Americans disapprove of President Trump’s handling of the economy, with affordability and the impact of tariffs emerging as major concerns among voters. The hosts discuss perceptions versus reality on key economic indicators, shifts in party trust, and the potential political consequences for Republicans heading into the 2026 midterms.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Public Perception: Cost of Living Crisis

• Polling Surge in Concerns:

  • 70% of Americans say their area is “no longer affordable” for average families, a sharp rise from 45% in the summer. (02:04)
  • 61% report the economy is "not working for them" personally.
  • A majority believe the U.S. is in a recession — despite contrary economic data.

  “70% of people say that their area is no longer affordable for average families. That’s up from 45% over the summer, which is a huge jump.”
  — Domenico Montanaro (02:12)

2. Tariffs and Their Costs: Economic & Political Impact

• Tariffs as Top Concern:

  • Two-thirds of adults are very or somewhat concerned about how tariffs are affecting their personal finances. (03:20)
  • Even among Republicans, over a third express concern about tariffs, despite party loyalty.

  “Tariffs are driving prices upward… this poll shows that Americans are worried about that.”
  — Danielle Kurtzleben (03:20)

• Tariffs Overtake Traditional Issues:

  • When asked about top economic worries:
    • Prices led with 45%,
    • Housing at 18%,
    • Tariffs at 15%.
  • Tariffs and price increases are viewed as "somewhat interchangeable" by many.

3. Trump’s Traditional Economic Strength Slipping

• Dramatic Decline in Approval:

  • Only 36% approve of Trump’s handling of the economy; a historic low equaled only by President Biden at the height of the 2022 inflation spike. (05:45, 06:03)
  • Notably low approval among Latino voters (just 30%).

  “That shine has clearly worn off. Thirty-six percent of people approve of the job that he's doing on handling the economy. It's his worst mark… in the last six years.”
  — Domenico Montanaro (05:45)

• Direct Economic Blame:

  • Unlike most presidents, Trump is uniquely vulnerable because he touts his tariff policy as a major achievement, making price increases directly associated with his decisions.

  “With Trump, he has unilaterally pushed a lever that makes prices go up… This creates a huge liability when you have two thirds of people being worried about tariffs…”
  — Danielle Kurtzleben (07:00, summarized)

4. Republican vs. Democrat Economic Trust Flips

• For the first time in years, Democrats have a (modest) advantage on which party voters trust to handle the economy (37% Dems vs. 33% GOP), marking a massive swing from Republicans’ 16-point lead in 2022. (08:45)

  “Democrats now have the advantage on who you trust more… This is significant because it’s a 20-point turnaround from 2022…”
  — Domenico Montanaro (08:45)

• Political Implications:

  • Independents have particularly shifted away from Republicans.
  • The cause: Trump’s active measures, namely tariffs, are seen as worsening, not improving, affordability.

5. Trump’s Messaging Disconnect

• President vs. Administration:

  • The White House blames lasting effects of Biden-era inflation, framing current problems as a lingering “hangover.”
  • Trump personally continues to promote tariffs and manufacturing, but poll data and employment numbers do not support the benefits he claims.

  “This is all still Biden’s fault… Rome wasn’t built in a day… It’s going to take us a while to slow that all down.”
  — Danielle Kurtzleben, paraphrasing VP J.D. Vance (13:15)

• Unconventional Consumer Messaging:

  • Trump’s suggestion that “maybe you don’t need 37 pencils or 37 dolls” is highlighted as a strikingly unusual message for an American president, essentially telling voters to cut back on personal consumption. (08:08)

  “By the way, telling people to pull back on their consumption, that is a remarkable economic message for a president to have.”
  — Danielle Kurtzleben (08:28)

6. Political Consequences & the 2026 Midterms

• Low Approval Ratings and Electoral Danger:

  • Trump’s overall job approval stands at 38% — the lowest of his second term, akin to his 2018 numbers when Republicans lost 40 House seats.
  • 50% of registered voters strongly disapprove; only 30% of independents approve.
  • “Wave election” potential if conditions persist. (17:26, 17:35)

  “I mean, if the election were next week, I’d say that this could be a major wave election. It’s not. … But the intensity of disapproval is very high.”
  — Domenico Montanaro (17:35)

• GOP Base Stability, with Smidges of Slippage:

  • Republican approval for Trump dropped from 89% last month to 84% now — a statistically slight shift, but notable.

  “It’s down five points. It’s within the margin of error. It’s a slight movement downward, but it’s still 84%. It’s still pretty robust.”
  — Domenico Montanaro (20:07)

7. Underlying Themes: Culture vs. Economic Anxiety

• The hosts contend that culture war issues, not economic anxiety, appear to be Trump’s base’s primary motivator — support persists even as economic pain grows, partly because of perceived existential political stakes.

  “It was never the economy, economic anxiety. It’s really about culture and culture war stuff.”
  — Domenico Montanaro (09:39)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Danielle Kurtzleben on Tariffs:

  “Tariffs are driving prices upward… Americans are worried about that.” (03:20)

• Domenico Montanaro on Approval Falls:

  “That shine has clearly worn off. Thirty-six percent of people approve of the job that he's doing on handling the economy.” (05:45)

• Tamara Keith on Trump’s Economic Narrative:

  “He started talking about like, you know, and maybe you don’t need 37 pencils or 37 dolls.” (08:08)

• Domenico Montanaro on GOP Perception:

  “Now clearly independents have slid away very heavily from the Republican party… A big piece of that is because of what Danielle is saying, that Trump took active measures to actually make prices worse when it comes to tariffs.” (09:16)

• Trump (quoted by hosts) on Economy and Legacy:

  “I’ve created the greatest economy in history, but it may take people a while to figure these things out. I cannot tell you how that’s going to equate to the voter. All I can do is do my job.” (20:44)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Poll Results & Topline Concerns — 02:00–03:20
• Tariff Discussion — 03:20–05:03
• Trump’s Economic Image Erodes — 05:31–07:00
• Democrats Overtake Republicans on Economy Trust — 08:45–09:54
• Administration vs. Trump Messaging — 12:29–14:33
• Economic Anxiety vs. Culture — 09:39
• Midterm Implications & GOP Base — 16:32–20:07
• Trump’s Legacy, Distancing from Midterms — 20:44–21:34

Summary Takeaways

• Affordability and tariffs are top economic concerns; perception of crisis is widespread, crossing some party lines.
• Trump’s historic strength on the economy is eroding, with specific blame assigned due to his own policies (e.g., tariffs).
• Democrats now edge out Republicans on economic trust, a major shift since 2022.
• Low overall and economic-specific approval numbers for Trump could spell trouble for the GOP in 2026, especially if economic trends and voter anger persist.
• Underlying support for Trump among Republicans slips only slightly, indicating cultural and ‘existential’ motivations may outweigh economic pain—though warning signs are flashing bright red across the board.