Majority of Americans say Trump cares more about himself than US, focused on wrong priorities: Poll

US President Donald Trump speaks to the press upon returning to Joint Base Andrews in Maryland on January 13, 2026. (Photo by Mandel NGAN / AFP)

A CNN poll shows most Americans view Trump’s first year back in office negatively, citing economic concerns and lack of empathy. 58% call his term a failure, and 55% say his policies worsened the economy. Doubts about his priorities and leadership persist.

Did our AI summary help?

A year into his return to the White House, US President Donald Trump is facing broad public dissatisfaction, with most Americans judging his performance harshly and questioning whether he is focused on the country’s real problems. A new poll conducted by CNN shows that negative views now dominate assessments of Trump’s second term so far.

According to the survey, 58 percent of Americans describe Trump’s first year back in office as a failure. Only 36 percent believe he has pursued the right priorities, a noticeable drop from early in his term when close to half of respondents felt that way. Many voters also say he has fallen short on the issue that matters most to them: the cost of living.

Economy remains top concern

The economy stands out as the single biggest issue for Americans, chosen by nearly twice as many respondents as any other topic. Yet Trump appears to be losing ground on economic confidence. While opinions on current conditions remain largely negative, expectations for the future have weakened. Just over four in ten Americans now believe the economy will be in good shape a year from now, down sharply from 56 percent just before Trump was sworn in.

A majority of respondents, 55 percent, say Trump’s policies have made economic conditions worse, compared with 32 percent who believe they have improved things. Frustration over prices is especially strong. Nearly two-thirds of Americans say the administration has not done enough to bring down the cost of everyday goods.

Doubts about priorities and connection

Beyond economics, the poll points to a deeper problem for the president: trust and empathy. Only about one-third of Americans say Trump cares about people like them, the lowest level recorded for him in polling during his political career. Just 37 percent believe he puts the good of the country above his personal interests, and only 32 percent think he understands the problems faced by ordinary Americans.

Notably, skepticism extends even into his base. More than a quarter of those who approve of Trump’s presidency still say he is out of touch with the daily concerns of most people.

Questions about his capacity to govern also persist. Fewer than half of respondents believe Trump has the stamina and mental sharpness needed to serve effectively, and only 35 percent say they are proud to have him as president.

Concerns over power and democracy

While economic anxiety dominates, worries about democracy and presidential power rank close behind, especially among Democrats. About one in four Americans who disapprove of Trump cite his use of presidential authority and his handling of democratic institutions as their main concern.

A clear majority, 58 percent, now say Trump has gone too far in using the powers of the presidency, up from 52 percent at the start of his term. At the same time, fewer Americans believe his presidency will permanently transform the country, suggesting a decline in both fear and expectation about long-term change.

Taken together, the poll paints a picture of a presidency struggling to win confidence. As economic pressures persist and doubts about leadership deepen, Trump enters the next phase of his term facing a public that is increasingly unconvinced he is addressing what matters most.