A new CNN/SSRS poll released on Friday shows a majority of Americans believe President Donald Trump is not focused on the country’s most pressing problems as he completes his first year back in the White House.
According to the CNN poll, 58 percent of respondents describe Trump’s first year in office as a “failure,” and just 36 percent say he is pursuing the right priorities for the country, marking a significant drop from the roughly 45 percent who felt that way early in his term. Voters cited economic concerns and frustration over the cost of living as central reasons for their discontent.
When asked to identify the country’s top challenge, respondents chose economic issues at nearly twice the rate of any other concern. Despite this, 55 percent said Trump’s policies have made economic conditions worse, and 64 percent believe the administration has not done enough to bring down prices on everyday goods like groceries and household items.
Widespread frustration with Trump isn’t isolated to this poll. Other recent national polling, such as an AP-NORC survey, released on Thursday, also reports about half of Americans saying Trump is focusing on the wrong priorities, compared with only about 20 percent who think he is addressing the right ones. The poll also revealed that about 40% of Americans approve of Trump’s performance as president, relatively unchanged from a similar poll conducted last March.
Beyond the economy, the CNN poll reveals deeper doubts about Trump’s connection with everyday Americans. Only about one-third of those surveyed say they believe he truly cares about people like them and only 37 percent believe he puts the country’s welfare above his personal interests. Just 32 percent say he understands the problems ordinary Americans face.
The survey also showed skepticism about Trump’s use of presidential powers. Majorities of those polled said he has overstepped in several areas, including reshaping cultural institutions, exerting executive authority beyond traditional bounds, and cutting too many government programs.
Support for Trump remains highly polarized along partisan lines. The president continues to enjoy strong backing among Republican voters with nearly nine in ten approving of his performance. However, he faces steep deficits among independents and key demographic groups that helped secure his 2024 election victory, including young adults and Latino voters. In both groups, approval has declined significantly compared with earlier in his term.
The CNN poll comes at a critical moment as the 2026 midterms approach, and the Republican Party seeks to defend its congressional majorities.
