Majority of Americans Report Rising Household Costs Despite Trump Claims

Majority of Americans Report Rising Household Costs Despite Trump Claims
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A majority of Americans report that their household expenses have increased since Donald Trump took office, according to a new Harris Poll conducted for the Guardian. The survey found that 74% of respondents said their monthly costs have risen by at least $100, with many seeing increases of up to $749. These figures span political affiliations, with Democrats, Republicans, and independents all reporting higher expenses.

Despite Trump’s claims that inflation is “virtually nonexistent” and that prices are “way down,” Americans remain concerned about the economy. The annual inflation rate has decreased slightly from 3% in January to 2.9% in August 2025, down from pandemic-era peaks exceeding 9%, yet it remains above the Federal Reserve’s 2% target.

Analysis from the Yale Budget Lab suggests tariffs and policy changes are adding an average of $191 per month to household costs, or roughly $2,300 annually. The poll also highlights growing economic pessimism. Slightly over half of Americans (54%) believe the country is in a recession, up five points from last year, and 53% feel the economy is worsening.

Inflation was identified as the top risk to the economy for Republicans (31%) and independents (33%) and second for Democrats (29%). Political divides emerge over other issues, with Republicans more concerned about immigration and Democrats focusing on tariffs and economic policy impacts.

Despite declining optimism for Democrats, support for specific Democratic economic policies remains strong, including a federal ban on price gouging, expanding the child tax credit, and increasing taxes on long-term capital gains. In contrast, many of Trump’s key policies—such as mass deportations, tax cuts, and tariffs on foreign goods—are among the least popular.

The survey indicates that while economic dissatisfaction may have benefited Republicans in the 2024 election, it does not necessarily translate into increased support for the party across all voter groups. Overall, optimism for the Democratic Party has dropped to 25% from 37% last year, while Republican optimism remains steady at just over 30%, with independents’ pessimism for both parties roughly equal.

According to The Guardian, the online survey, conducted from September 11–13, 2025, included 2,093 nationally representative U.S. adults.