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Democrats have regained an advantage on one of the country’s most pressing political issues—the economy—a new Fox News poll released on Wednesday shows. According to the July 2026 survey, Democrats now hold their strongest lead over Republicans since 2006 on registered voters’ trust in handling the economy, marking a notable shift in public opinion.
The findings from the conservative news outlet come as economic concerns continue dominating voters’ priorities ahead of the 2026 midterm elections, with inflation, affordability and household finances remaining central issues.
The poll also found President Donald Trump’s overall approval rating still underwater, with particularly weak marks on his handling of the economy. While the fight against crime remains among Trump’s comparatively stronger issues, voters expressed growing dissatisfaction with rising costs and say inflation has caused them hardship.
The Fox News survey showed a Democratic advantage in the generic House ballot as well, suggesting that concerns about the economy could influence congressional races if current trends continue.
Newsweek reached out to the White House via email on Wednesday night for comment.
What To Know
According to the Fox News poll, when asked “Which political party — the Democrats or the Republicans — do you think would do a better job” on the economy, Democrats landed 54 percent compared to 45 percent saying Republicans, marking a 9-point net advantage for Democrats. In April, Democrats had 52 percent compared to Republicans’ 48 percent.
The last time Democrats had a net positive of 9 points or more was 20 years ago, in a July 2006 poll, the survey shows.
Wednesday’s poll was conducted from July 17 to July 20 among 1,003 registered voters and has a margin of error of 3 percent.
Trump’s approval rating on the economy in the poll is 33 percent compared to a 67 percent disapproval rating. The poll shows that 54 percent think the economy will worsen in a year from now versus 45 percent who think it’ll improve. Trump’s overall approval rating is 39 percent versus 61 percent disapproval.
Separate polling highlighted similar economic concerns among only Republican voters. An increasing share of GOP supporters say their finances have weakened during Trump’s second term in office. The recent survey released by The Washington Post-ABC News-Ipsos found more Republicans feel worse off financially, swelling to 18 percent from 13 percent.
“President Trump has always been clear about the fact that oil and gas prices–and thus overall inflation–will rapidly drop as soon as the Iran situation is resolved,” White House Spokesman Kush Desai previously told Newsweek in response to that polling.
Desai also said that American workers were seeing wage gains before the war with Iran, and the administration’s “commonsense agenda of deregulation, tax cuts, and energy abundance” would “deliver more economic relief for the American people.”
Other polls found Trump’s approval rating on the economy at or near its lowest level, reinforcing broader signs of voter unease over economic conditions.
While polling offers a snapshot of public opinion rather than a prediction of election outcomes, the convergence of multiple surveys points to a potentially changing political environment centered on economic concerns. With voters continuing to rank inflation, the cost of living, affordability and financial security among their top priorities, both parties are expected to make economic messaging a central focus of the 2026 midterm campaign.
Whether these polling trends persist will likely depend on how voters perceive the economy in the months leading up to Election Day.
What Other Polling Shows
In a survey this week from The Economist/YouGov, 21 percent said the state of the economy is excellent or good and 75 percent called it fair or poor. Fifteen percent said the economy is improving, 22 percent said it is about the same, 58 percent feel it’s worsening and 6 percent were unsure.
The poll surveyed 1,602 U.S. adults from July 17 to July 20 and has a margin of error of 3.3 percent.
An American Research Group poll shows that Trump’s approval on the economy is 28 percent, with a 70 percent disapproval rating. His overall approval mark is 30 percent compared to 67 percent disapproval.
The poll surveyed 1,100 adults from July 16 to July 20 and has a margin of error of 3 percent.
Contact Newsweek editors on this story: Edward T. Cummins.
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