Americans in the Battleground are Unhappy with the Economy and They Blame Republicans

As mentioned in our first report on this series of Battleground data, more than two-thirds of Americans in the battleground view the economy negatively (68%) compared to just 32% who viewed it positively, the widest gap since Navigating the Battleground polled this question in February 2025 (25% positive – 74% negative).

People are seeing their own financial situations getting worse. In February 2026, the gap between those who said their own personal financial situations were positive versus negative was 22 points (60% positive – 38% negative). That gap has been cut in half to just 11 points (55% positive – 44% negative) as frustrations with the economy – and with Trump’s handling of it – have grown.

When asked who they blame for the economy, two-thirds (67%) say Trump and Republicans in Congress compared to just 24% who say Democrats in Congress.

Inflation and Cost of Living is the Top Issue for Americans in the Battleground

Inflation and the cost of living is the number-one issue Americans in the battleground want Congress and President Trump to focus on, with three-in-10 naming it as one of their top two issues (30% top two). This is a top priority across the board, but especially so for Black Americans (38% top two), Americans under 55 (38% top two), passive news consumers (37% top two), and non-MAGA Republicans (35% top two).

A Growing Share of Americans in the Battleground Say Republicans in Congress Have Made Life Less Affordable

50% of battleground constituents say that Republicans in Congress have focused on policies that have made life less affordable, a four-point increase from February (46%). This includes:

• 58% of people under 55;
• 53% of independents; and
• 48% of Americans in the battleground who live in districts that Trump won by at least 10.5% in 2024.

Costs Are Up Across the Board for Battleground Constituents, Especially Groceries and Gas

The two biggest cost increases burdening Americans in the battleground are groceries (44%) and gas and transportation (42%). Other large cost burdens include health care (34%), taxes and fees (27%), housing (22%) and utilities (16%). Only 2% say that none of the costs we asked about were an issue for them personally.

• Women are more likely than men to say groceries are a cost issue (47% – 40%), while men are 11 points more likely to say taxes and fees are an issue (33% – 22%).
• Americans aged 18 – 34 list housing as the biggest cost burden (45%).

Battleground Constituents Trust Democrats More to Lower Costs and Fight Inflation, Although a Sizeable Group Trust Neither Party

Americans in the battleground trust Democrats more than Republicans to lower costs for working families (41% Democrats – 36% Republicans) and make health care and prescription drugs more affordable (44% Democrats – 37% Republicans). However, nearly one-in-five – and nearly half of independents – say they don’t trust either party on the issues (21% lowering costs for working families – 18% making health care and prescription drugs more affordable).

Battleground constituents are nearly evenly split between which party they trust more to handle the economy (40% Democrats – 41% Republicans) and fight inflation (38% Democrats – 37% Republicans). Similarly, 46% of independents don’t trust either party to handle the economy and 56% of independents don’t trust either party to fight inflation.

Americans in the Battleground Are Concerned About Republicans Voting to Raise Energy and Gas Prices, But Are Split on Who to Trust to Lower Them

More than three-in-five battleground constituents are concerned about Republicans in Congress voting to raise energy costs and gas prices (69% energy costs – 68% gas prices).

While Americans in the battleground are concerned by these actions, they still trust Republicans more to lower the cost of gas (35% Democrats – 38% Republicans). Democrats do hold a four-point lead over Republicans on who Americans in the battleground trust to lower the cost of utilities (35% Democrats – 31% Republicans).