Politics

Poll Finds Economic Dissatisfaction; Trump's National Address Draws Criticism

Illustration for: Poll Finds Economic Dissatisfaction; Trump's National Address Draws Criticism
AI-generated illustration. Visual interpretation does not represent real individuals or scenes.

Dec 22, 2025

THE BARE STORY

A national poll conducted from December 17-19 indicates that most Americans hold negative views of the economy, citing concerns over the cost of living. The survey of 2,300 U.S. adults, which took place after a presidential address on December 17, found that a majority of respondents described affording basics like food and housing as difficult.

According to the poll, more people hold President Trump responsible for the economy than former President Joe Biden. While the president’s approval ratings on the economy and inflation have increased slightly from November, a majority of people reportedly feel he describes conditions as better than they actually are. The poll also found that two-thirds of Americans believe his policies favor the wealthy over the middle class.

The president’s address, during which he claimed to have brought the country back from "the brink of ruin," drew a strong reaction from former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi. In remarks that aired Sunday, Pelosi called the speech "ridiculous" and a "demonstration of his mental incapacity."

A White House spokesperson, Davis Ingle, responded by calling Pelosi "unhinged." Ingle also claimed she would be remembered for "enriching her family through corrupt stock trading." The poll also noted that on other issues, the president's approval on immigration is higher than his approval on the economy, with most respondents saying border crossings have decreased this year.

Same Facts. Different Perspectives.

Two AI models. Two viewpoints. One factual foundation.

Perspective by Grok

• The president's approval on key economic issues is showing signs of improvement. While overall views on the economy are negative, the article notes that President Trump's approval ratings concerning the economy and inflation have seen a slight increase since November. This suggests a potential positive shift in public perception of his economic leadership.

• The administration has overseen a successful reduction in border crossings. The president's performance on immigration is viewed more favorably than his handling of the economy, according to the poll. A majority of respondents believe that border crossings have decreased this year, indicating a perceived policy success in a key area.

• The president’s team is defending his record against what it characterizes as unhinged attacks. In response to Nancy Pelosi's criticism, a White House spokesperson, Davis Ingle, described the former House Speaker as "unhinged." The spokesperson also claimed Pelosi would be remembered for "enriching her family through corrupt stock trading," framing her critique as lacking credibility.

How it may affect me

As a U.S. reader:

• Your household budget may remain strained, as a majority reports difficulty affording essentials like food and housing due to high living costs.

• Future economic policies could shift, as two-thirds of the public believe current measures favor the wealthy over the middle class.

• The perception that border crossings have decreased may influence future immigration enforcement strategies and related government funding.

Read the story at

Note: All TheBareNews content is AI-generated. For additional context, reporting, and updates, you are invited to explore the news outlets linked above.