Washington, D.C. – Just over 100 days into his presidency, a significant portion of Americans attribute responsibility for the current economic climate more to President Donald Trump than to his predecessor, former President Joe Biden, according to a new national poll.
The survey, conducted by Gallup in April 2025, found that 46 percent of U.S. adults surveyed believe President Trump is primarily responsible for the nation’s economic conditions. This represents a 3 percent increase from the 43 percent who held him more responsible in a similar poll conducted just one month prior, in March 2025.
In contrast, the poll indicated that 27 percent of Americans surveyed place more responsibility on former President Joe Biden for the current state of the economy. This percentage remained unchanged from the March survey.
Public Perception vs. White House Narrative
The release of the poll results comes as President Trump marked his initial 100 days in office, a period often viewed as a benchmark for a new administration’s impact and public standing. The findings present a challenge to the administration’s messaging, which has actively sought to distance itself from economic instability, often attributing it to policies and events predating Trump’s return to office.
President Trump himself has repeatedly addressed the economy, particularly periods of turbulence. On his social media platform, Truth Social, he has been vocal in assigning blame for specific downturns. Following the first quarter’s economic contraction of 0.3 percent, he explicitly pointed the finger at the previous administration.
He has also attributed volatility in the stock market to actions taken under the Biden administration, including tariffs. In a notable post, he stated definitively, “It was Biden’s stock market, not Trump’s,” seeking to shift accountability away from his nascent presidency.
Dividing the Blame
While the plurality of Americans surveyed by Gallup assign more responsibility to President Trump, a notable segment of the population views the economic situation as a shared legacy. The poll found that 21 percent of Americans considered both President Trump and former President Biden equally responsible for the current economy. This suggests a recognition among nearly a quarter of the public that economic trends can be influenced by more than one administration.
Partisan Divide Evident
The Gallup poll also underscored the stark partisan divisions that shape perceptions of the economy. The data reveals a significant gap in how Democrats and Republicans apportion blame.
Among self-identified Democrats surveyed, a substantial 75 percent hold President Trump more responsible for the current economic conditions. This reflects a strong alignment within the opposition party in criticizing the economic performance under the new administration’s initial phase.
Conversely, among Republicans surveyed, the focus of responsibility points back to the previous administration. 55 percent of Republicans place more blame on former President Joe Biden. This partisan split highlights how political affiliation heavily influences views on which party’s policies or leadership are seen as driving economic outcomes.
Broader Context
Economic sentiment and responsibility attribution are complex, often lagging behind policy implementation or being influenced by a multitude of global and domestic factors beyond a single president’s immediate control. However, public perception, as captured by polls like this Gallup survey, is politically significant. It can shape approval ratings, influence policy debates, and set the stage for future electoral contests.
The finding that a growing percentage of Americans hold President Trump more responsible for the economy during his first 100 days indicates that the public is already connecting the current economic reality with the actions and leadership of the new administration, despite President Trump’s efforts to highlight the role of his predecessor.
