'Kill shot' polling figure shows just how bad Trump economy is: analysis

A polling figure has shed light on just how bad President Donald Trump's economic plan for the United States is.Trump's economic policies have triggered unprecedented public dissatisfaction, with consumer sentiment reaching its lowest point in 74 years. The University of Michigan's Consumer Sentiment Index fell to 47.6 in preliminary April 2026, a 10.7 percent drop from March, marking the worst reading in the history of the Consumer Sentiment poll. Tariffs on imported goods have driven up prices on consumer staples, including groceries, clothing and household items, with no relief in sight. Trump's Iran war has exacerbated energy costs and disrupted global supply chains. Oil price volatility threatens to spike gas prices further, compounding household budget pressures.The New Republic's Greg Sargent has since highlighted a brutal polling update for Trump and the economy. "Donald Trump pays close attention to Fox News polling, so surely he’ll see the latest one from Fox, and it’s a real doozy. His numbers on the economy are indescribably awful," Sargent wrote. "And the poll also shows that Democrats have the advantage over Republicans on the economy for the first time in many years—a real milestone. But there was more to the Fox poll, he explained. "It finds that Democrats are favored over Republicans on the economy for the first time since 2010," Sargent wrote. "Fifty-two percent pick Democrats and 48 percent pick Republicans. And on prices, again, it’s even worse—54 percent favor Democrats versus 46 percent who favor Republicans."Democrats are taking the lead or gaining the advantage on the economy now. It’s not just disapproval of Trump and people also hate Democrats. It’s voters now starting to look to Democrats as the better party on this issue."Strategists “in and around the White House” have grown increasingly panicked over rising energy costs and their impact on voters, Politico reported earlier this week.