Trump Defends Economy in SOTU as 60% Disapprove in New Poll

President Donald Trump defended his economic record during his State of the Union address this week, arguing that growth and job gains show the country is on track.

But new national polling released ahead of the speech paints a sharply different picture of public sentiment.

According to a Washington Post–ABC News–Ipsos poll published Feb. 22, just 39% of Americans approve of Trump’s job performance, while 60% disapprove. The same survey found 48% believe the economy has gotten worse under his leadership, and only 22% say they feel financially better off.

A separate YouGov–MarketWatch poll found more than 80% of adults say affordability has not improved during Trump’s term, with nearly half saying it has worsened.

During the address, Trump cited job creation and stock market performance as evidence of economic strength, though fact-checkers including the Associated Press and Washington Post Fact Checker challenged several of his claims about inflation and household income trends.

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The conflicting narratives highlight a widening perception gap between the White House’s economic messaging and voter sentiment.

“This suggests persistent anxiety about cost of living despite broader economic indicators,” a Washington Post analysis noted.

With midterm elections approaching, political strategists in both parties are closely watching whether economic pessimism translates into turnout shifts in competitive districts.

Updated CBS News polling data is expected in the coming days, which could further clarify how voters are responding to the president’s speech.

For now, the political stakes surrounding economic perception appear to be intensifying.

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