Vice President JD Vance acknowledged public frustration with the economy after being confronted live on Fox News with new polls showing President Donald Trump underwater on the issue.
Vance said the administration was “pushing a car uphill” after inheriting a damaged economy from the Biden administration.
Newsweek contacted the White House for comment via email outside standard working hours.
Why It Matters
Economic confidence has become a central political test for the Trump administration as voters continue to report dissatisfaction with prices, wages and overall financial security.
With the election calendar tightening, sustained disapproval could shape turnout and momentum heading into November.
What To Know
Vance addressed a spate of unfavorable economic polls during a Fox News interview this week, after host Bill Hemmer laid out data showing broad public disapproval of Trump’s handling of the economy.
On screen, Fox News displayed three recent national surveys, each finding that a majority of Americans disapproved of the president’s economic performance.
In a Fox News poll conducted January 23-26, 40 percent of registered voters said they approved of Trump’s handling of the economy, while 59 percent disapproved.
The survey included 1,005 registered voters and had a margin of error of plus or minus 3 percentage points.
Similar results appeared in a Washington Post/ABC News poll conducted February 12-17.
That survey found 41 percent approval and 57 percent disapproval of the president’s economic stewardship among 2,589 registered voters, with a margin of error of plus or minus 2 percentage points.
A Wall Street Journal poll conducted January 8-13 showed slightly stronger numbers for the administration but still placed Trump underwater.
In that survey, 45 percent approved of his handling of the economy, while 54 percent disapproved, based on a sample of 1,500 registered voters and a margin of error of plus or minus 2.5 percentage points.
Presenting the data, Hemmer told Vance it appeared the administration was “pushing a car uphill” with nine months left before the midterms to improve public sentiment, while Democrats, he said, were energized and “ready to vote tomorrow.”
Vance did not dispute the characterization.
“In some ways, we are pushing a car uphill,” the vice president said, placing responsibility on the previous administration and arguing that former President Joe Biden left behind “a disaster of an economy,” including record peacetime debt and high inflation.
Vance said Americans had lost about $3,000 in take‑home pay during the Biden years, while that figure had reversed under Trump—with average take‑home pay rising by about $1,200 over the past year.
Still, he acknowledged that many households may not yet feel the improvement.
Looking ahead, Vance said relief was coming through upcoming tax refunds and policy changes, pointing to provisions such as no tax on tips, overtime or Social Security benefits.
He also highlighted large investments in new factories, saying construction jobs were beginning to hit the economy and manufacturing jobs would follow once those facilities opened.
According to Vance, that combination of tax relief and industrial investment signals momentum, even if public opinion has not yet caught up.
“We inherited a mess,” he said, adding that the administration’s focus remained on improving everyday economic conditions.
What People Are Saying
White House spokesperson Davis Ingle previously told Newsweek in an emailed statement: “The ultimate poll was November 5, 2024, when nearly 80 million Americans overwhelmingly elected President Trump to deliver on his popular and commonsense agenda. The President has already made historic progress not only in America but around the world. It is not surprising that President Trump remains the most dominant figure in American politics.”
President Donald Trump said at a White House event on Monday: “It just amazes me that there’s not more support out there. We actually have silent support. I think it’s silent. I think that’s how I won.”
What Happens Next
Economic data releases, tax season results and job reports over the coming months may offer clearer signals about whether the administration’s optimism translates into improved voter confidence as November’s elections draw closer.
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