Economic optimism remains lower than earlier in Trump’s second term
% who say they expect that economic conditions in this country will be __ a year from now
Note: No answer responses are not shown.
Source: Survey of U.S. adults conducted Sept. 28-Oct. 4, 2026.
PEW RESEARCH CENTER
Economic optimism remains lower than earlier in Trump’s second term
% who say they expect that economic conditions in this country will be __ a year from now
| Date | Group | Better | Worse | About the same as now |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Feb ’25 | Total | 40 | 37 | 23 |
| Apr ’25 | Total | 36 | 45 | 19 |
| Sep ’25 | Total | 29 | 46 | 24 |
| Jan ’26 | Total | 31 | 38 | 30 |
| Jul ’26 | Total | 23 | 36 | 40 |
| Oct ’26 | Total | 26 | 39 | 34 |
| Feb ’25 | Rep/Lean Rep | 73 | 9 | 18 |
| Apr ’25 | Rep/Lean Rep | 65 | 15 | 20 |
| Sep ’25 | Rep/Lean Rep | 55 | 19 | 26 |
| Jan ’26 | Rep/Lean Rep | 57 | 14 | 28 |
| Jul ’26 | Rep/Lean Rep | 42 | 19 | 39 |
| Oct ’26 | Rep/Lean Rep | 41 | 25 | 34 |
| Feb ’25 | Dem/Lean Dem | 10 | 64 | 26 |
| Apr ’25 | Dem/Lean Dem | 8 | 74 | 17 |
| Sep ’25 | Dem/Lean Dem | 6 | 73 | 21 |
| Jan ’26 | Dem/Lean Dem | 8 | 62 | 30 |
| Jul ’26 | Dem/Lean Dem | 7 | 53 | 40 |
| Oct ’26 | Dem/Lean Dem | 14 | 50 | 34 |
Note: No answer responses are not shown.
Source: Survey of U.S. adults conducted Sept. 28-Oct. 4, 2026.
PEW RESEARCH CENTER
