US Adults Report Widespread Economic Concerns and Holiday Spending Struggles Amid Persistent High Prices
An AP-NORC poll reveals most U.S. adults face rising prices for groceries, electricity, and gifts, struggling with holiday spending and anticipating worsening economic conditions.
Overview
An AP-NORC poll conducted December 4-8 surveyed 1,146 U.S. adults, revealing that a significant majority are noticing increased prices for groceries, electricity, and holiday gifts.
Approximately 68% of U.S. adults consistently perceive the economy as "poor," a sentiment unchanged since December 2024, prior to President Trump's second presidential term.
Many Americans struggle to afford holiday gifts, delaying big purchases and reducing nonessential spending, often relying on savings or "buy now, pay later" programs.
Approximately 40% of U.S. adults anticipate worsening economic conditions by 2026, as inflation remains above the Federal Reserve's 3% target and the job market is stagnant.
Both Democrats and Republicans are increasingly prioritizing finding the lowest prices and cutting back on expenses, reflecting broad bipartisan concern over persistent high price levels.
Analysis
Center-leaning sources frame this story by emphasizing widespread consumer pessimism and directly linking it to President Trump's economic policies and rhetoric. They use evaluative language like "sobering assessment" and "deep freeze" to highlight economic struggles, contrasting public sentiment with Trump's optimistic claims. The narrative consistently attributes current anxieties and lack of confidence to his administration's actions, particularly tariffs.