8 in 10 Americans Disapprove of Trump on Inflation — That’s Extremely Rare for a President

A striking new analysis reveals that President Donald Trump’s handling of inflation has become a historic liability, with approval numbers rarely seen in modern American politics. According to CNN’s Aaron Blake, the numbers are so stark that they represent a level of disapproval that is “extremely rare for a president” .

WASHINGTON – With the 2026 midterm elections on the horizon, President Donald Trump is facing a political problem of historic proportions: eight in ten Americans disapprove of how he is handling inflation .

The finding, highlighted in a viral graphic from CNN’s analysis, underscores what Blake describes as a “historic liability — the likes of which we’ve rarely seen in modern American politics” .

“We don’t yet know how the 2026 midterm elections will shake out,” Blake wrote. “What we can say right now is that President Donald Trump’s handling of inflation is a historic liability” .

The Numbers Behind the Disapproval

Recent polling data paints a bleak picture for the White House as voters prepare to head to the polls.

An NBC News poll released on September 20 found Trump’s approval rating at a second-term low of 41% among registered voters . More troubling for the administration, 55% of voters said they believe Trump’s policies have hurt the economy — a direct rebuke of the president’s economic messaging .

The disapproval extends across multiple metrics:

The numbers have prompted concern among Republicans. One analysis noted that only 26% of Americans approve of Trump’s handling of the economy — a figure so low that one commentator observed it might be the one inflation-related number “that Trump will be able to get even lower” .

A Historic Liability

Blake’s analysis emphasizes that this level of disapproval on a key economic issue is virtually unprecedented. The CNN piece notes that while the outcome of the 2026 midterms remains uncertain, Republicans have reason to be “a fair amount” panicked at this point .

The White House has pushed back on the narrative. In a statement, Trump said inflation isn’t his fault, and people immediately pointed the finger back at him . However, the polling suggests that message is not resonating with the American public.

What It Means for the Midterms

With the midterm elections approaching, the inflation numbers could prove decisive. One analysis noted that Trump’s approval rating has also taken a hit on other issues, including a decline in strong Republican approval.

According to reports, there has been an 11-point overall drop in strong Republican approval, with an 18-point drop specifically on Iran — a shift that could matter for turnout as the November midterms draw near .

The combination of economic dissatisfaction and eroding support within his own base presents a significant challenge for the president and his party.