House Dems see opening to hammer Trump on the economy
New polling indicates dwindling public support for the president on his economic policies and handling of inflation.
First Things First: During a private virtual caucus meeting this evening, House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.) encouraged his members to continue attacking President Donald Trump on his declining poll numbers while they’re back home in their districts this week.
“We have to lean into the economy,” a member told me when asked for their key takeaway from the session. “Folks understand the economy is the thing.”
What the data says: Top Hill Democrats have attempted to strike an effective balance between responding to what Jeffries described to me last week as the daily Republican “parade of horribles” and hammering Trump on his inability to drive down the cost of living, which remains the top concern for Americans.
A Reuters/Ipsos poll released today indicates a slight decline in President Trump’s approval rating, now 44 percent, down from 45 percent in late January. Disapproval has risen to 51 percent from 41 percent since he took office.
The poll also finds that economic concerns are growing as consumer prices rise, partly due to import tariffs from China, Mexico and Canada.
Additional findings:
32 percent: Support his handling of inflation
39 percent: Approve of Trump’s economic policies (-4)
53 percent: Believe the country is on the wrong track (+10)
47 percent: Approve his immigration policies
Allow me to explain: I’m told the Trump poll numbers, volatility of the Republican budget plan, looming government funding deadline, and desire for rank-and-file members to be unified around a consistent message made it important for leadership to discuss the current state of play before returning to Washington this week.