Hassett says on negative polling on economy: ‘I just don’t buy it’

Hassett Rejects Polling That Shows Deep Economic Frustration

Provpnadvice.com – Kevin Hassett, who leads the National Economic Council, pushed back Sunday against polling that indicates many Americans hold negative views of the economy as the midterm elections draw closer.

Speaking with CNN’s Jake Tapper on “State of the Union,” Hassett argued that surveys portraying widespread public discouragement do not match signs of continued consumer spending and retail strength. He suggested that the political calendar should make voters cautious about interpreting gloomy polling results.

“Ahead of an election cycle, the fact that there’s, you know, possibly partisan pollsters telling us that the people are really really depressed, it’s a classic Democrat move, and I just don’t buy it,”

Hassett’s comments come as Republicans confront difficult political conditions, including voter concern over tariffs and the unpopular war involving Iran. Economic perceptions can be shaped by household expenses, job security, wages and the price of everyday necessities, meaning broad economic statistics do not always mirror how families describe their own circumstances.

Consumer Spending at the Center of Hassett’s Argument

The White House economic adviser said spending data offers a more useful measure of consumer confidence than public-opinion surveys. In his view, strong retailer performance conflicts with the idea that Americans are broadly pulling back because they feel pessimistic about their financial situation.

“Because if it were true, if the polls were any value for thinking about what’s going on with consumers, then we should look at the consumption data and say, ‘Geez, yeah, that’s right. People aren’t spending.’ But, in fact, the retailers are doing well,”

Retail activity can provide one perspective on the economy, but it does not necessarily answer every concern raised by voters. Consumers may continue purchasing essential goods even while expressing anxiety about rising costs, debt, fuel prices or the longer-term outlook. People can also spend at different levels across regions and income groups, making national figures only one part of the broader picture.

For political leaders, that distinction matters. A government may point to sales, employment or investment indicators, while voters may focus more immediately on what they pay at gas stations, grocery stores and other routine stops. The gap between official economic messaging and individual experience often becomes especially consequential during an election year.

Gas Prices Add Pressure for Households

The conflict with Iran has brought renewed attention to energy costs. The Strait of Hormuz, a strategically important route for the oil industry, has been closed during the conflict. That disruption has contributed to a sustained increase in gasoline prices for American drivers.

AAA listed the national average for a gallon of regular gasoline at $4.37 on Sunday morning. Prices have remained above an average of $4 during the Iran war, placing an added financial burden on commuters, families and businesses that depend on transportation.

Higher fuel costs can spread beyond the gas pump. Transportation is part of the cost of moving food, consumer products and supplies across the country, so a prolonged period of expensive gasoline can intensify public concern about prices more broadly. Even when consumers continue to shop, they may feel the strain of paying more for the same necessities.

The situation also gives the approaching midterms an economic dimension that extends beyond traditional debates over growth or tax policy. Voters may weigh the administration’s handling of foreign policy alongside the financial effects they see in their daily lives.

Polls Show Broad Disapproval of Economic Management

Recent surveys have presented a far less optimistic view of public sentiment than the one Hassett described. A Quinnipiac University poll found that 62 percent of respondents opposed President Trump’s handling of the economy.

A separate survey conducted by The Associated Press/NORC Research Center found that 65 percent of respondents believed the president’s policies were responsible for high prices more than other economic forces. More than half of those surveyed also said both the national economy and the country overall had become worse since Trump returned to the White House.

Those results suggest that concerns about prices and economic direction remain substantial, regardless of the administration’s emphasis on retail performance. Polling does not establish why every respondent holds a particular view, but it can show whether dissatisfaction is widespread and whether it may influence political behavior.

Trump’s overall standing has also weakened. A Decision Desk HQ polling average placed his approval rating at 38.5 percent Sunday morning. With the midterms nearing, that figure and the economic surveys could increase pressure on Republicans seeking to persuade voters that the administration’s policies are producing tangible benefits.

An Argument Over What Defines Economic Reality

Hassett’s remarks highlight a familiar disagreement in economic politics: whether consumer behavior or public sentiment offers the clearer reading of national conditions. Retail sales may indicate that people are still spending, while polling may reveal that many do so reluctantly or fear that costs will continue climbing.

Both measures can carry relevance for voters. Continued spending may signal resilience, but dissatisfaction over inflation, gasoline prices and the direction of the country can still shape how Americans evaluate the president and candidates seeking office. The coming campaign will likely test whether the administration’s focus on economic data can overcome the concerns reflected in recent surveys.