The Economy Better than before Trump Retook Office? See the Data

Gas prices staying above $4 a gallon and the 30-year mortgage rate climbing past 7% are shaping how the economy is viewed as Trump enters the political season again, even though he isn’t on the midterm ballot. The article cites polling showing limited approval for Trump’s economic handling: an AP-NORC survey puts approval at 25%, while a Reuters/Ipsos poll finds 36% think Democrats are better positioned on cost of living versus 28% for Republicans. It notes that presidents usually have less direct control because the Fed runs monetary policy and Congress sets the budget, but argues Trump’s second-term policies—tariffs and the Iran war—have pushed prices up. Consumer sentiment in October was 48 on the University of Michigan index, near record lows, with inflation and wage growth discussed alongside the latest data points.