Trump’s greatest strength in 2024 is now a debilitating weakness: poll

U.S. President Donald Trump gestures as he boards Air Force One to depart for Florida, at Joint Base Andrews, Maryland, U.S., January 16, 2026. REUTERS/Kevin Lamarque

The United States 2024 presidential election was a real horserace, with GOP nominee Donald Trump ultimately defeating the Democratic nominee, then-Vice President Kamala Harris, by roughly 1.5 percent in the national popular vote. And according to polls, the economy — especially frustration over inflation — was the thing that did the most to give him a narrow victory in the end.

But a new CBS News/YouGov poll shows that what was Trump's greatest strength in 2024 is now a major weakness.

The poll, released on Sunday, January 18, found that 74 percent of Americans believe that Trump isn't focused enough on inflation.

NJ Advance Media/NJ.com reporter Lauren Sforza explains, "Despite Trump's promises to bring down costs, 76 percent of Americans said their income is not keeping up with inflation. Just 24 percent reported that their income was keeping up with inflation, according to the poll. Trump repeatedly pledged throughout his 2024 campaign to end inflation and lower the cost of living for Americans. However, Trump's widespread tariffs on imported goods have increased prices for U.S. consumers despite Trump claiming that it was boosting revenue for the country."

CBS News/YouGov found that only 39 percent of Americans approve of Trump's handling of the economy, while his overall approval is at 41 percent.

The poll comes almost a year after Trump's return to the White House and nine and one-half months before the 2026 midterms.

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