Rising grocery prices are testing the patience of Trump supporters who voted for the president based largely on his promises to bring down the cost of living, with new polling data revealing growing anxiety about food affordability that could spell trouble for Republicans heading into next year's midterm elections.
According to the latest Axios Vibes survey conducted by The Harris Poll, nearly half of Americans say it is harder to afford groceries now than it was a year ago, while only one in five report that grocery shopping has become easier. The findings represent a warning sign for President Trump, who won the election in part by promising voters he would fix inflation and bring prices down on everything from bacon to eggs.
"I won on the border, and I won on groceries. When you buy apples, when you buy bacon, when you buy eggs, they would double and triple the price over a short period of time, and I won an election based on that."
The survey reveals concerning trends for the administration, with eight in ten Americans believing the president has significant influence over the economy, but less than half saying the Trump administration has had a positive economic impact this year. While Republicans remain more optimistic than Democrats or independents about their financial situations, the data shows independents aligning more closely with Democrats on economic anxiety, a troubling sign for Republican congressional candidates.
During the campaign, Trump ran advertisements promising he would fix both inflation and immigration, telling voters at town halls that he would get their prices down. However, since taking office, the president has twice acknowledged that lowering prices is not his top priority, instead focusing heavily on immigration enforcement and other issues. He has also admitted in interviews that bringing down food costs will prove difficult, noting that it is hard to reduce prices once they have risen.
Complicating the administration's efforts, Trump's proposed tariffs on imports from Canada, Mexico, and China could actually drive grocery prices higher according to economists and food industry analysts. Nearly two-thirds of survey respondents expressed worry about shortages of key goods due to tariff policies, while less than one-third believe the tariffs have been good for the economy or their personal finances.
The grocery price issue disproportionately impacts working-class voters, the very demographic Trump promised to champion during his campaign. Parents report particular strain, with nearly three in four saying their monthly grocery bill has increased just in the last three months. A RealClear Opinion Research poll found that nearly nine in ten voters, including more than four in five Trump supporters, express deep concern about rising food prices.
Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt pushed back against the survey findings, arguing that grocery prices are actually coming down and citing egg prices as an example. However, Bureau of Labor Statistics data and consumer experiences reflected in multiple independent surveys suggest that Americans continue to feel financial pressure at the checkout line, potentially setting the stage for voter discontent that could reshape the political landscape in upcoming elections if the administration cannot deliver on its economic promises.