According to an exclusive new Harris Poll-Guardian poll, Americans don’t trust the government’s good economic news, nor the media’s reporting of it. And while the results illustrate a dramatic political split on economic views – Republicans being far more pessimistic than Democrats – it doesn’t negate the overall unhappiness and unease many feel toward the economy.

Key Findings:

  • Nearly 7 in 10 (68%) Americans said it’s difficult to be happy about positive economic news when they feel financially squeezed each month (Republicans: 69%, Democrats: 68%).
  • Two-thirds of Americans (65%) believe that the economy is worse than the media makes it out to be rather than better (35%) – something even half of Democrats believe (49% v. GOP: 82%, Independents: 66%).
  • And Americans are failing an economic pop quiz: More Americans (wrongfully) believe the U.S. economy is shrinking (59% v. growing: 41%) and that the unemployment rate is nearing a 50-year high (51% v. low: 49%).

To dive deeper into the findings, check out the topline summary here.

John Gerzema headshot

John Gerzema

CEO

Related Content