78% of Americans Blame Trump Policies for Rising Costs, Reuters/Ipsos Poll Finds

WASHINGTON, Oct. 10 (TodayViralUSA) — Nearly four in five Americans say President Donald Trump’s policies bear at least some blame for prices that are outrunning paychecks, according to a Reuters/Ipsos poll released this week that underscores how the cost of living has become the central vulnerability for Republicans weeks before the midterm elections.

The six-day survey of 4,506 U.S. adults, completed Oct. 5, found that 78% of respondents — including 64% of Republicans and 76% of independents — assigned some responsibility to the White House for higher prices. Cost of living ranked as the top voting issue, ahead of democratic values and immigration.

Fifty-four percent of adults, including 40% of Republicans, said living costs had increased “a lot” over the past year. Fifty-seven percent of Republicans who support Trump said expenses were growing faster than their incomes — a sharp contrast with his 2024 pledge to crush inflation “on day one.”

Fuel, tariffs and a record-low approval rating

National average gasoline stood at $4.36 a gallon on Thursday, up from about $3.11 a year earlier, while diesel hovered near $6.28 after a September record, AAA data cited in the poll coverage showed. Respondents most often pointed to tariffs and energy costs tied to the war with Iran as drivers of higher prices.

Trump’s overall job approval sat at 32% in the same survey, matching a record low first marked in September. About one in four Republicans disapproved of his handling of the economy; disapproval of his inflation record reached 68% overall and 40% among Republicans. On a generic congressional ballot, Democrats led Republicans 44% to 37%.

White House spokeswoman Taylor Rogers said Trump had ended the “inflation crisis” he inherited and delivered tax cuts and lower prescription-drug costs. “The president has delivered tangible wins for American families,” she said.

Spending habits and the midterm map

The poll offered limited evidence of deep cutbacks: 63% said they were dining out less often and 56% were spending less on entertainment or streaming, while smaller shares reported driving less or falling behind on bills. Hourly wage gains have roughly tracked consumer prices, leaving many households feeling they are treading water.

Some of Trump’s arguments still land with voters: 45% said unauthorized immigration contributes to higher prices, echoing the administration’s claim that extra housing demand pushes costs up. Enthusiasm to vote, however, tilted toward Democrats — 48% of 2024 Harris voters said they were “very enthusiastic” about casting a midterm ballot, compared with 30% of Trump voters — a gap that could matter in closely contested House and Senate races on Nov. 3.