Democrats see lines of attack form against Trump on economy

Democrats see a political opportunity in the mounting frustration over President Trump’s handling of the economy.

New polls have shown signs of disappointment with Trump amid the stock market downturn, rising prices and a potential trade war with some of the U.S.’s closest allies, giving Democrats one of their clearest offensive opportunities since he took office.

The latest numbers mark a turning point for the president, who in the past has enjoyed favorable approval ratings on his handling of the economy, but come as Democrats have struggled to unify and develop a coherent message against Trump.

“Democrats right now have a perfect weapon to use, an opportunity to seize. Look at the economic outlook, look at the stock market, look at the S&P, look at Tesla stock,” Democratic strategist Jon Reinish said. “There is so much to hammer Trump on that is economic.”

The economy and concerns about inflation were among Trump’s most potent weapons against the Biden administration throughout the 2024 campaign, along with immigration.

Polls throughout the cycle showed Americans largely trusted the Republican over both ex-President Biden and former Vice President Kamala Harris on economic issues, prompting Democratic soul-searching after their November losses.

But while his handling of the border remains Trump’s strongest area, his perceived strength on the economy has started to weaken somewhat.

The stock market plunged after Trump declined to rule out that the economy may slip into a recession. And a 25 percent tariff on certain imports from Mexico and Canada also went into effect this month after some delay, stoking trade war concerns, though Trump has since announced exemptions for some products.

Just 18 percent in a new NBC News poll rated the economy as “excellent” or “good,” as low as the outlet has found it since 2014. Consumer confidence fell to its lowest level since 2022, according to survey results from last Friday.

The White House touted drops in egg and gas prices in a release on Monday, crediting Trump’s slashing of regulations and “unleashing American energy” for stabilizing people’s bottom lines. Inflation also ticked down slightly in February, but it came after weeks of rising economic pressure.

Some in the Democratic Party are clamoring for party leaders to go after Trump on the economy, seeing it as fertile ground.

“Democrats are so in the wilderness right now when it comes to messaging, I wouldn't undertake a big forensic or data driven study or exercise,” Reinish said. “Grab the low-hanging fruit.”

A CNN poll released last week noted that Trump’s economic disapproval is “worse than at any point during his first term in office.” The poll found 56 percent of Americans were against Trump's performance on the economy, while 54 percent disapproved of his overall job handling.

And an Emerson College Polling survey also found nearly half, or 48 percent, of voters disapproved of Trump on the economy. Overall, he saw 47 percent job approval.

“Despite not yet delivering on the economy in voters’ minds, Trump’s support remains strong,” the poll's Executive Director Spencer Kimball said in an analysis. “However, the true challenge will be how voters perceive their financial future. While little has shifted since the election, the initial ‘honeymoon phase’ seems to be coming to an end.”

The Economist/YouGov poll also found Trump’s approval on inflation toppled from 45 percent to 38 percent between late January and early March, while his approval on jobs and the economy fell from 49 percent to 43 percent in that same period.

The economy is “going to be the big story” for the party, said Democratic strategist Kristen Hawn. “That's the common theme throughout this year and into next year, leading into the midterms.”

Democratic strategist Daniel Fee said the administration has been focused on “a lot of things,” but it hasn’t been focused on lowering costs for families, even rhetorically.

He pointed to the Elon Musk-led Department of Government Efficiency’s widespread cuts across the federal government, slashing jobs as it seeks to cut out fraud and wasteful spending.

“Whether you agree with them or you don't agree with them, one thing that has not been said, at least it's not been said clearly and concisely and unequivocally, is that these cuts will reduce the amount of money that Americans pay in taxes,” Fee said.

“They have not made that connection between the tax cuts that they’ve been pushing or that are under discussion and the reduction in the size of government. The Republicans have lost the narrative about balanced budgets.”

Democrats have their own hurdles to overcome — and risks to going after Trump on the economy.

The Democratic Party’s favorability rating hit a record low this week in polling from both CNN and NBC News, a problematic sign as Republicans enjoy a trifecta of power in Washington.

“We’ve seen a rapid erosion of Democratic support for the Democratic Party since the November election,” Democratic strategist Fred Hicks said. “Democrats need to take advantage of this moment.”

GOP strategist Ron Bonjean underscored Trump’s prediction that the economy is experiencing a “transition” period that will ultimately bring in better conditions — and better polling for the president.

“If this was in October of 2024, Trump may be concerned about it. But right now ... he believes the economy will get better well before the [next] elections,” Bonjean said.

“It’s clear that Democrats have an opportunity if they choose to use it, but it’s also dangerous [if] the economy does continue to solidify,” he added. “That’s why I think you don’t see a lot of Democrats jumping into that space yet.”

Longtime Republican strategist Rob Stutzman, however, argued the erosion of support for Trump’s economic performance is “the leading indicator” that his overall numbers could be headed downhill.

“Democrats will benefit in the midterm if Trump’s in economic trouble, whether they can message correctly or not on it,” Stutzman said.

“I’m not sure the Democrats will figure out how to message on this for a while, but if inflation goes up, obviously if we slip into a recession, they don’t have to get very specific. They can just point the finger at Trump and say, ‘he’s failed on what really was his core mission.’”

Fee said Democrats need to show they’re taking action to support people instead of being “performative” in just holding a press conference to demonstrate their opposition to Trump. Every day that Trump doesn’t talk about making people’s lives more affordable, Democrats should point that out and show what they’re doing to try to help, he said.

“Democrats should take a page from Republicans, and they should seize the moment and have message discipline irrespective of what happens in the future,” Hicks said. “The moment is now, and that’s what the polls show.”

Topics

Ed Davey calls on Keir Starmer to back Canada against Trump attacks

Lib Dem leader says PM should make public show of support for ally against ‘shocking attacks’ on its sovereignty. The leader of the UK’s Liberal Democrats has called on the prime minister to ...
The Guardian - 5d
Deluzio says Dems fighting against Trump 'not just good politics' but 'good policy'

Rep. Chris Deluzio (D-Pa.) on Sunday called Democrats fighting against President Trump “not just good politics” but also “good policy.” “I think wanting to see Democrats stand their ground when ...
The Hill - 2d
Democrats need ‘new voices’ in fight against Trump, says Sen. Slotkin

In an exclusive interview with Meet the Press, Sen. Elissa Slotkin (D-Mich.), who delivered the Democratic response to President Trump’s joint address, says Democrats are still “finding our ...
NBC News - Mar. 9
Trump doubles down on attack against judge after Roberts rebuke

President Trump early Wednesday renewed his attacks on a federal judge who ordered the administration to turn around flights carrying alleged Venezuelan gang members, despite pushback from the ...
The Hill - 1h
Johnson says Congress will investigate attacks against Tesla owners, vehicles

Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) said Wednesday that Congress will investigate attacks against Tesla vehicles and their owners as Elon Musk’s flagship electric vehicle company faces mounting backlash ...
The Hill - 6d
Democratic Party infighting exposes struggle to unite against Trump

Sharp divides over how to push back against Trump and Republicans have been laid bare in Congress, writes Anthony Zurcher.
BBC News - 4d
Trump says he'll hold Iran responsible for Houthi attacks

President Trump says he'll hold Iran responsible for any attacks by the Houthi rebels in Yemen. Trump authorized strikes against the Tehran-backed group Monday and over the weekend. CBS News ...
CBS News - 1d
Stephen A. Smith to Democrats: Find deals Trump is willing to make

Media personality Stephen A. Smith is urging Democrats to find deals they can make with President Trump, criticizing their protests. “What we’ve been seeing from them, it doesn’t resonate," Smith ...
The Hill - 5d
Roberts rebukes Trump, allies over attacks against federal judge

Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts has issued a rare statement rebuking a push to impeach judges, hours after President Trump echoed such calls amid a clash with a federal judge over migrant ...
The Hill - 21h
Trump Intensifies ‘51st State’ Threats in Attack on Canada

The U.S. president on Tuesday reiterated his claims on Canada’s territory as he increased tariffs, threatening to bring the country’s economy to its knees.
The New York Times - Mar. 12
Trump administration briefing: Democrats divided as funding bill passes; president rails against justice department

Democrats dismayed after some help Republicans avert government shutdown; Trump vents about prosecutions while taking DoJ victory lap – key US politics stories from Friday at a glance. The US ...
The Guardian - 4d
Texas A&M 'want to continue to attack downhill and get to the line' per senior Wade Taylor

"That's how we want to go about our offense, to go to the free throw line and get makes. We want to continue to attack downhill and get to the line."
Yahoo Sports - 5d
U.S. launches multiple strikes against Houthi targets as Trump issues warning

President Trump said the U.S. would use "overwhelming lethal force" until Houthis cease shipping attacks.
CBS News - 3d
Democrats push back on plans to use military installations as migrant detention centers

Democratic lawmakers are pushing back against Trump administration plans to detain thousands of immigrants living in the country illegally at U.S. military sites. In a letter signed by nine ...
The Hill - 18h
Democrats step up town halls amid rowdy GOP forums

Democrats are using town halls to go on offense against their Republican counterparts as the party scrambles to capitalize on a weak point: GOP lawmakers taking heat for President Trump. ...
The Hill - 4h
'No pain, no gain’ is the motto of the new Trump economy

Why should the world’s biggest economy be treated unfairly?
The Hill - 6d
German election winner Merz moves step closer to forming government

Conservative bloc and SPD to start full coalition talks as chancellor-in-waiting plans to revive ailing economy. Germany’s conservative election winner, Friedrich Merz, came a step closer on ...
The Guardian - Mar. 8
Democrats set themselves up for year of primaries in 2026

Progressives are vowing to run primary challenges against Democrats who do not do enough to stand up to President Trump and the GOP, an effort that is intensifying after Senate Minority Leader ...
The Hill - 1d
James Carville is wrong. Democrats should fight, not ‘play dead.’

Democrats must fight back against Trump and his agenda, as a lack of action will make them appear weak and Americans will despise weakness.
The Hill - Mar. 8
56 percent disapprove of Trump handling of economy: Survey

More than half of the respondents in a recent survey say they disapprove of President Trump’s handle on the economy. The CNN poll, released Wednesday, found that 56 percent of respondents ...
The Hill - Mar. 12
Americanswers…on 5 Live! Is Trump worried about the US economy?

Americanswers…on 5 Live! Is Trump worried about the US economy?
BBC News - Mar. 10
Trump launches new military operation against Houthis

Aaron David Miller, a senior fellow at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace and an advisor to many secretaries of state, spoke with NBC News' Gadi Schwartz about the Houthi rebels' attack
NBC News - 1d
Trump attacks Biden administration in rare visit to Justice Department

In a rare visit to the Justice Department, President Donald Trump lashed out at his perceived political enemies and claimed the department was weaponized against him while he was running for ...
NBC News - 4d
Out of the lab and into the streets, researchers and doctors rally for science against Trump cuts

Researchers, doctors, their patients and supporters are venturing out of labs, hospitals and offices across the country to stand up to what they call an attack on life-saving science by the Trump ...
ABC News - Mar. 7
Schumer faces Democratic fury as Senate clears path to avert shutdown

Presented by National Council on Aging — Democrats are raging against Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer hours before a shutdown deadline. {beacon} Evening Report Friday, March 14 | By Jonathan ...
The Hill - 4d
Former Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin says 'people are overreacting a bit' to Trump's policies

Mnuchin, who served under Trump in the Republican's first term in office, said does not see signs of an imminent slowdown for the U.S. economy.
CNBC - 6d
Republicans worry Trump's tariffs could harm economy

Republican lawmakers are growing alarmed over signs that President Trump’s expanding trade war is hurting the economy, something they’re hearing from constituents at home who are struggling to ...
The Hill - Mar. 10
Most disapprove of Trump handling of economy: Survey

Most Americans don’t approve of President Trump’s handling of the economy just weeks into his second term, a survey released Thursday found. The Quinnipiac University survey found 54 percent of ...
The Hill - 5d
Trump administration pulls US out of body investigating Ukraine invasion

Russia and allies were target of International Centre for the Prosecution of the Crime of Aggression against Ukraine. The Trump administration is withdrawing from an international body formed to ...
The Guardian - 1d
Poll: 54% of Americans disapprove Trump’s handling of economy

Meet the Press moderator Kristen Welker joins NBC’s Hallie Jackson on Sunday TODAY to discuss new poll numbers that show how Americans feel about Trump's handling of the economy.
NBC News - 3d
Democrats struggle against relentless Republican hammering on immigration

Republicans put Democrats in the hot seat as they continue to try and win the messaging wars on immigration policy.
Politico - Mar. 5
Sunday shows preview: Congress avoids government shutdown; Trump tariffs rattle economy

Republicans scored a major win on Friday as the Senate approved the House-GOP crafted spending bill, largely authored without input from Democrats. The new piece of legislation boosts defense ...
The Hill - 3d
Treasury Secretary Bessent says economy could be 'starting to roll a little bit'

President Trump's Treasury secretary discussed the U.S. economy and tariffs on "Squawk Box."
CNBC - Mar. 7
U.S. retail sales barely rise, but investors see glimmer of good news in seemingly weak report

Retail sales barely rose in February, in another sign the economy might be weakening as businesses and consumers digest rapid-fire changes being made by the Trump White House.
MarketWatch - 1d
Trump Administration Pushes Back Against Judge’s Orders on Deportations

The attacks on the judge, James E. Boasberg, elicited a rare public rebuke by Chief Justice John G. Roberts Jr., who essentially told critics to knock it off.
The New York Times - 17h
5 risks facing the US economy under Trump

The fundamentals of the U.S. economy are in good shape, with low unemployment and robust growth in recent quarters. But warning signs have been flashing and markets have been sliding amid policy ...
The Hill - 6d
Trump says Iran will suffer 'dire' consequences for any more Houthi attacks

President Donald Trump on Monday said that further attacks or retaliation by the Houthis would be considered an attack by Iran and it would face “dire” consequences.
ABC News - 1d
Aguilar: Democrats still working to unite party against GOP spending bill

The head of the House Democratic Caucus said Tuesday that party leaders are still working to unite their troops against the Republicans’ spending bill. Rep. Pete Aguilar (D-Calif.) bashed the GOP ...
The Hill - Mar. 11
Kodai Senga rediscovering peak form is more important than ever for Mets rotation

Kodai Senga was just "ok" in Friday's spring training start against the Cardinals, but the Mets need their ace healthy and to find his peak form to compete with their rotation riddled with injuries.
Yahoo Sports - 4d