Democrats Gain Edge on Economy in Latest Fox News Poll

A new Fox News poll reveals a significant shift in voter sentiment on economic issues, with Democrats holding an advantage over Republicans for the first time since 2010. The survey shows that 52 percent of respondents trust Democrats more to handle the economy, compared to 47 percent who favor Republicans.

The poll underscores widespread economic pessimism among voters, with 73 percent rating national economic conditions negatively. This figure remains consistent with polling from the past two years. 60 percent of voters view their personal financial situation unfavorably, and 70 percent believe the economy is getting worse — a 15-point increase from April 2025 and matching a record high.

Voter Blame and Partisan Divide

A majority of voters — 56 percent — say President Donald Trump’s policies are hurting the economy, whereas only 28 percent believe they are helping. Among Republicans, opinions are split: 57 percent think Trump’s policies are helping the economy, but this rises to 70 percent among MAGA Republicans and falls to 30 percent among non-MAGA Republicans. Conversely, more than half of Republicans acknowledge that economic conditions (56 percent) and their personal finances (52 percent) are bad.

When asked about responsibility for the current economy, 62 percent of voters blame Trump more than former President Joe Biden (32 percent). Democrats are nearly 40 percentage points more likely than Republicans to hold Trump accountable, while 42 percent of GOP respondents say Trump bears more responsibility, compared to 53 percent who point to Biden. Independents align closely with the overall trend, with 62 percent assigning greater blame to Trump and 29 percent to Biden.

Household Financial Pressures Persist

Voters continue to feel strain from rising costs across essential household expenses. Majorities identify groceries (62 percent), gas (60 percent), healthcare (55 percent), and housing (52 percent) as “major” problems for their families. Concern over gas prices has intensified, with the share calling it a major problem jumping from 33 percent in September 2025 to 60 percent in the latest survey. Nearly 90 percent of voters now describe gas costs as either a major or minor problem.

Despite these pressures, both major parties face criticism for their policy focus, with 61 percent of voters saying Democrats and 61 percent saying Republicans are concentrating on the “wrong” issues.

Implications for the Midterm Elections

The economic landscape presents a challenging environment for Republicans six months ahead of the November midterm elections. Analysts note that voter dissatisfaction with economic conditions and Trump’s handling of the economy is creating an opening for Democrats to gain ground in congressional races. The Fox News poll suggests that economic concerns — long a Republican strength — may now favor Democratic candidates in key battleground districts.

As voters weigh their options, the economy remains a central factor in shaping preferences, with trust on this issue potentially determining control of the U.S. House of Representatives.