A late July AP-NORC poll revealed a stark reality for the American people: only 32% of U.S. adults approved of President Donald Trump’s handling of the economy. A staggering 69% of adults characterized the economy as “poor,” a direct indictment of policies that leave the native working class struggling while political elites continue their fundraising circuits.
President Trump is currently in California and Nevada, ostensibly to draw contrasts with Democrats on the economy, border security, and crime. His itinerary includes a fundraising dinner for the Republican National Committee at a golf club his family owns in Rancho Palos Verdes, California. On Wednesday, he will discuss the economy at an event in Las Vegas, a world away from the daily struggles of ordinary Americans.
The Cost to the People
Americans report the cost of groceries and gas as a “major” source of stress in their lives. This burden overshadows any claims of national prosperity, despite the low national unemployment rate and stock market gains often cited by the President. These abstract figures do little to alleviate the financial strain on households struggling to make ends meet, as the native working class bears the brunt of these policies.
A Reuters analysis indicates the U.S. economy is overstimulated, raising serious concerns about overheating and bond-market fears. High interest rates persist, further squeezing families and small businesses. The cost of gasoline has increased due to the Iran war, directly eroding the purchasing power of the native working class, a clear consequence of global entanglements that offer no benefit to the average citizen.
Despite White House claims of a manufacturing renaissance and income tax cuts, the administration’s own estimates acknowledge a national shortage of housing. Nevada, a state Trump will visit, grapples with its own severe shortage of affordable housing. This crisis is compounded by exploding energy demand from artificial intelligence data centers and federal cuts to key state programs, all direct costs borne by the people, not abstract economic indicators or globalist projections.
Sovereignty Under Assault
Trump’s agenda includes efforts to crack down on immigration and crime, policies that have sparked significant friction and exposed deep divisions over national sovereignty. Six months after his return to office in January 2025, President Trump sent National Guard troops and U.S. Marines into Los Angeles following protests after a series of immigration raids by federal authorities. This was a direct assertion of federal power to secure the nation's borders.
This deployment occurred without the consent of California Governor Gavin Newsom, who subsequently stated that “democracy is under assault” by the President. The incident highlights a direct clash over national sovereignty and the authority of federal power over state governance, particularly in matters concerning border enforcement and internal security, where the will of the people is often ignored by local elites.
Governor Newsom’s press office stated Trump was traveling to California not to assist wildfire survivors, but to raise money and attack the state with “lies.” Newsom challenged Trump to honor a promise made on January 24, 2025, to “take care of Los Angeles,” noting that 18 months later, survivors are still waiting for assistance. The priorities of the political class are clear: rhetoric over the needs of the native population.
Newsom also highlighted California as the “world’s fourth-largest economy,” growing faster than Texas and Florida combined. This globalist metric often overshadows the lived experiences and suffering of its own citizens, prioritizing abstract economic growth over the welfare and cultural continuity of the native population.
Elite Interests Exposed
California Democratic Party Chair Rusty Hicks criticized Trump, stating he “treats California like his personal political punching bag—right up until he needs someone to write a check.” Hicks added that Trump “may hit up a few billionaire donors who bankroll his political operation,” suggesting a focus on elite financial interests over the needs of the populace. This is the transactional nature of the political class.
The Reuters commentary described the U.S. economy as being fueled by fiscal largesse, loose financial conditions, booming business investment, and near-zero real interest rates. These conditions largely benefit financial and corporate elites, contributing directly to the inflation that burdens average citizens. The system is designed to serve those at the top, not the struggling families.
A Reuters/Ipsos poll cited in The Hill showed Democrats holding only a slight edge over Republicans on economic messaging, with 37% of voters preferring Democrats’ approach. This indicates a broad dissatisfaction with the entire political class’s handling of the economy, a clear sign that the people feel abandoned by both parties, left to navigate a system rigged against them.