Democrats Gain Ground on Economy Issues According to Fox News Poll

Democrats have regained an advantage on the economy, a top political issue in the United States, according to a new Fox News poll released on Wednesday. The poll, conducted in July 2026, shows that Democrats now have their strongest lead over Republicans since 2006 in terms of registered voters’ trust in handling the economy. This shift in public opinion comes as economic concerns dominate voters’ priorities ahead of the 2026 midterm elections. Inflation and affordability remain central issues.

The poll reveals that President Donald Trump’s overall approval rating remains low, with significant dissatisfaction regarding his economic policies. While crime is among the stronger points of Trump’s administration, voters express dissatisfaction with rising costs and inflation hardships.

The Fox News survey indicates a Democratic advantage in the generic House ballot, suggesting economic concerns might affect congressional races if trends continue. Newsweek attempted to contact the White House for comments.

Key Findings

The Fox News poll asked voters which party they believed would handle the economy better. Democrats secured 54 percent, while 45 percent favored Republicans, resulting in a 9-point net advantage for Democrats. This is the largest margin since a similar poll in July 2006.

Conducted from July 17 to July 20 among 1,003 registered voters, the poll has a 3 percent margin of error.

Trump’s approval rating on the economy stands at 33 percent, with a 67 percent disapproval rating. 54 percent of respondents feel the economy will worsen in a year, compared to 45 percent who believe it will improve. Trump’s overall approval rating is 39 percent, with 61 percent disapproval.

Separate polling emphasizes similar economic concerns among Republicans. A Washington Post-ABC News-Ipsos survey shows an increasing share of GOP supporters facing financial challenges during Trump’s second term. More Republicans report feeling financially worse off, with the figure rising to 18 percent from 13 percent.

White House Spokesman Kush Desai previously conveyed optimism about resolving issues with Iran, stating that this would cause a rapid drop in oil and gas prices, curbing inflation. The administration also promotes a deregulation and tax cut agenda aimed at offering economic relief.

Other surveys reflect Trump’s declining approval ratings on economic issues, highlighting voter unease. While polls represent public opinion snapshots rather than election predictions, the convergence of multiple surveys points to possible shifts in the political landscape centered around economic concerns.

Match-ups between priorities like inflation, cost of living, and financial security are set to highlight economic messaging during the 2026 midterm campaign.

Polling trends depend on voters’ perception of the economy as Election Day approaches.

Additional Survey Insights

A survey from The Economist/YouGov highlights varied opinions on the state of the economy: 21 percent rate it as excellent or good, while 75 percent view it as fair or poor. 15 percent say the economy is improving, 22 percent feel it’s unchanged, 58 percent believe it’s worsening, and 6 percent are unsure.

The poll surveyed 1,602 U.S. adults from July 17 to July 20 with a margin of error of 3.3 percent.

An American Research Group poll shows Trump’s approval rating on the economy at 28 percent, with a 70 percent disapproval rate. His overall approval is at 30 percent, compared to 67 percent disapproval.

This poll surveyed 1,100 adults from July 16 to July 20, with a 3 percent margin of error.

Newsweek editors Edward T. Cummins worked on this story.