Americans say it's harder to afford their groceries now than it was a year ago, a warning sign for President Trump and Republicans, in the latest Axios Vibes survey by The Harris Poll.
By Margaret Talev,Neil Irwin
Americans say it is harder to afford groceries than a year ago, according to a new Axios Vibes survey by The Harris Poll, underscoring a major political risk for President Donald Trump and congressional Republicans.
Nearly half of respondents reported higher difficulty in affording food, while only 20% said it has gotten easier. Eight in 10 Americans believe the president has significant influence on the economy, but just 47% credited Trump’s administration with having a positive impact this year.
Survey data show sharp increases in staple items: ground beef prices rose 12.8% in the past year, eggs climbed 10.9%, and coffee surged nearly 21%. Prices have compounded on earlier spikes from 2021–2022, leaving grocery costs more than 30% higher over five years. At the same time, wage growth has slowed while the job market has softened, magnifying the pressure on households.
Trump’s team defended its record, citing falling egg prices from earlier peaks and emphasizing inherited inflation from the Biden era. Still, only about one-third of respondents said Trump’s tariffs have helped the U.S. economy, and 63% expressed concern about shortages linked to trade policies.
The poll highlights voter frustration ahead of the 2026 midterms, with independents’ views aligning more closely with Democrats than Republicans on affordability and economic pressures.
Sources:
Axios