Supporters of Trump are becoming increasingly dissatisfied with the problem he labeled a 'con job': Recent survey

President Donald Trumps repeated dismissal of affordability as a con job appears to be at odds with the concerns of his own supporters, according to a recent poll. During a Wednesday announcement in the Oval Office about rolling back Biden-era vehicle fuel efficiency standards, Trump said, I think affordability is the greatest con job. They look at you, and they say, Affordability. They dont say anything else. Everyone says, Oh, their prices are so low. No, they had the worst inflation.

Trump echoed this sentiment during a Cabinet meeting, labeling affordability a central topic of his 2024 campaign as a fake narrative promoted by Democratic lawmakers. The word affordability is a Democrat scam, he stated at the White House, They say it, and then they go on to the next subject.

However, a POLITICO poll released Thursday indicates a growing portion of Americans, including 2024 Trump voters, are increasingly blaming him for rising living costs. The survey found that 46% of respondents view the cost of living as the worst they have experienced, including 37% of Trumps voters. Additionally, 43% of Americans, with 31% from his base, feel economic opportunities in the U.S. have declined compared to the past.

The poll further showed that 46% of Americans hold Trump mostly or fully responsible for the affordability crisis, compared with 29% who attribute it to his predecessor. Among Trump voters, 18% shared this perspective. Across all demographics, affordability remains a major concern, with 45% of adults identifying groceries as particularly challenging to afford, followed by 38% citing housing and 34% healthcare.

Democrats have leveraged these concerns, emphasizing the cost of living in recent elections in New Jersey, New York City, and Virginia. In Tennessee, affordability helped make a special election in a traditionally Republican district more competitive.

While Trump has previously pledged to address economic issues from day one of his administration, recent polls suggest that public support for his economic agenda may be waning. He has sent mixed messages, including telling Fox News last month, I dont want to hear about the affordability. Trump also claimed that grocery prices are falling and criticized media coverage, asserting, The press reports whatever the con people say. You know, I call the Democrats con men and women. They make up numbers.

He has further claimed that drug prices are dropping to historically low levels, linking this to potential Republican gains in the 2026 midterms. On Truth Social, he declared, I AM THE AFFORDABILITY PRESIDENT. TALK LOUDLY AND PROUDLY.

The POLITICO survey, conducted by Public First from November 14-17 with 2,098 U.S. adults, carries a margin of error of plus or minus 2 percentage points.

Analysis: The Disconnect Between Trump’s Rhetoric and Voter Concerns on Affordability

President Trump’s repeated dismissal of affordability as a “con job” appears increasingly out of step with public sentiment, including among his own supporters. Recent polling by POLITICO indicates that a significant portion of Americans, 46%, view the current cost of living as the worst they have experienced, with 37% of Trump voters sharing this view. Economic concerns are especially acute regarding groceries (45%), housing (38%), and healthcare (34%).

Despite framing affordability as a Democratic “scam,” Trump faces growing scrutiny. The poll shows that 46% of Americans hold him mostly or fully responsible for the affordability crisis, while only 29% attribute it to former President Biden. Even within his voter base, 18% see Trump as accountable. These findings suggest a potential vulnerability for Trump’s economic messaging ahead of the 2024 election.

Democrats have capitalized on these concerns, highlighting the rising cost of living in key elections across New Jersey, New York City, Virginia, and Tennessee. While Trump maintains that grocery and drug prices are declining and brands himself as “the Affordability President,” the discrepancy between his statements and voter experiences may challenge the effectiveness of his economic narrative.

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• Trump voters are growing more frustrated with issue he called a ‘con job’: New poll