Key Takeaways
- Voters are increasingly dissatisfied with President Trump’s handling of the economy, which could impact the upcoming mid-term elections.
- More voters rate the economy as weak rather than strong, with a 15 percentage point difference.
- Half of voters believe the economy has worsened in the past year, while 35% see improvement.
- Support for Trump remains stable among his loyal supporters, with 92% giving him a positive job rating.
- The poll shows Trump and the GOP are more vulnerable in the run-up to the mid-term elections, with 45% of voters approving of the president’s job performance and 54% disapproving.
Introduction to the Poll
The Wall Street Journal has released a new poll that highlights a significant shift in voter sentiment towards President Donald Trump’s handling of the economy. As of January 17, 2026, the poll indicates that voters are increasingly unhappy with the president’s economic policies, which could have potential consequences for the upcoming mid-term elections. The poll shows that more voters rate the economy as weak rather than strong, with a 15 percentage point difference. This represents a deterioration from July, when negative views predominated by only 4 points. The findings suggest that voters are becoming increasingly concerned about the state of the economy and are holding the president accountable for the perceived decline.
Voter Perceptions of the Economy
The poll reveals that about half of voters believe the economy has gotten worse in the past year, compared to 35% who see improvement. This sentiment is a warning sign for the president and the Republican Party, as it suggests that voters are not satisfied with the current state of the economy. The poll also found that voters think Trump is focusing on foreign affairs and other matters at the expense of their most pressing concerns, which are rising prices and the overall economy. This perception could further erode support for the president and the GOP, particularly among voters who are struggling financially. The fact that voters are prioritizing economic issues over other matters suggests that the president and the Republican Party need to reassess their priorities and develop policies that address the economic concerns of voters.
Support for Trump
Despite the growing dissatisfaction with the economy, support for Trump among his most loyal supporters has remained stable. The poll found that 92% of people who voted for him in 2024 give Trump a positive job rating today, including 70% who strongly approve. This suggests that the president still has a strong base of support, which could help him weather the current economic storm. However, the poll also indicates that this support may not be enough to offset the growing dissatisfaction among other voters. The fact that Trump’s support remains stable among his loyal base suggests that he may be able to count on their support in the upcoming mid-term elections, but he will need to win over other voters to maintain a strong showing.
Implications for the Mid-Term Elections
The poll shows that Trump and the GOP are more politically vulnerable in the run-up to the House and Senate mid-term elections later this year. The poll found that 45% of voters approve of the president’s job performance, while 54% disapprove, representing a 9-point gap. This is a significant increase from the 6-point gap in the last Journal survey in July. The growing dissatisfaction with the economy and the president’s handling of it could have significant implications for the mid-term elections. If voters continue to prioritize economic issues and hold the president and the GOP accountable for the perceived decline, it could lead to significant losses for the Republican Party. The poll suggests that the president and the GOP need to develop policies that address the economic concerns of voters and communicate their vision for the economy effectively to voters.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the Wall Street Journal poll highlights a significant shift in voter sentiment towards President Trump’s handling of the economy. The poll shows that voters are increasingly dissatisfied with the economy and are holding the president accountable for the perceived decline. While support for Trump remains stable among his loyal supporters, the growing dissatisfaction among other voters could have significant implications for the mid-term elections. The president and the GOP need to reassess their priorities and develop policies that address the economic concerns of voters to maintain a strong showing in the upcoming elections. The poll serves as a warning sign for the president and the Republican Party, and it will be important to watch how they respond to the growing dissatisfaction with the economy in the coming months.