While tariffs have hurt most people’s thoughts on the economy, young Americans feel more optimistic about their finances than any other age group compared to a year ago.
An NBC News Stay Tuned poll released Thursday showed that while no age group is in a majority in feeling better about their financial situation today versus a year ago, 27% of adults aged 18 through 29 hold that position, compared to only 24% of 30-44 year olds, 21% of 45-64 year olds, and 18% of those 65 years and older.
A plurality of all age groups believe their personal financial situation is about the same as it was last year, with 43% of 18-29 year olds, 41% of 30-44 year olds, 43% of 45-64 year olds, and 50% of those 65 years and older responding as such. However, roughly 36% to 29% of all age groups said their personal financial situation is worse now than it was a year ago, per the survey.
Despite younger adults feeling the most optimistic about their financial situation now, they are the age group that most disapproves of President Donald Trump’s handling of inflation and the cost of living, with a net disapproval rating of 69% to 30%. The age group that most approved of Trump’s handling of inflation and the cost of living was the 45-to-64-year-olds, with a net disapproval rating of 55% to 45%.
The economy has typically been a strong point for Trump in polling, but in recent weeks, his polling figures on the issue have turned sour as he pushed his sweeping tariff plans.
GOP POLLSTER OUTLINES BEST MESSAGING STRATEGIES FOR REPUBLICANS IN MIDTERM ELECTIONS
An Associated Press-NORC poll released earlier this week showed that 59% of adults think Trump has gone too far with his tariff policy, 52% say they strongly or somewhat oppose tariffs, and only 27% strongly or somewhat favor tariffs.
During the 2024 election, young voters were one of the key areas where Trump made a breakthrough, significantly overperforming recent GOP presidential candidates with voters under 30 years old.
This article was originally published at www.washingtonexaminer.com
