Trump Surpasses Harris on US Economy in Final FT-Michigan Ross Poll
Donald Trump has overtaken Kamala Harris as the preferred candidate among Americans on the issue of the economy. According to the latest poll conducted by the Financial Times and the University of Michigan Ross School of Business, 44% of registered voters now trust Trump to handle economic affairs, compared to 43% for Harris. This marks the first time Trump has led in this poll, and it comes just two weeks before the upcoming election.
Trump Gains Momentum on Economic Confidence
The poll results further show Trump expanding his lead on financial matters. 45% of respondents believe Trump would improve their personal financial situation, while only 37% think Harris could do the same. The findings reveal Harris is losing critical support on the economy, a key issue as the candidates head into the final stretch.
In pivotal swing states, the poll tracker shows the two candidates now neck-and-neck. Harris and the Biden administration continue to face criticism for not addressing inflation and economic growth challenges over the last four years—complaints that have been echoed in previous FT-Michigan Ross polls since November 2023.
Although Harris gained a slight edge after stepping in for Biden on the Democratic ticket earlier this year, that advantage has now vanished. More voters also believe they were financially better off during Trump's presidency. 51% of respondents said they were "much" or "somewhat" better off under Trump, compared to 28% who feel the same about Biden’s tenure.
Cost of Living Remains a Major Concern
The ongoing high cost of living, exacerbated by the 2022 inflation surge, continues to weigh heavily on voters. Over three-quarters of those surveyed identified rising prices as one of their primary financial concerns.
Trump has pledged to address these issues by reducing energy costs and implementing tax cuts. His proposed economic plan includes eliminating taxes on tips, overtime, and senior benefits, aiming to ease financial pressures on working Americans.
Harris, on the other hand, has championed what she calls an "opportunity economy," focusing on middle-class families. Her proposals include tackling price gouging and providing subsidies for first-time homebuyers and small businesses.
Diverging Economic Visions
While the poll results show Trump's appeal among those concerned about personal finances, Harris’s platform is resonating with a different segment of the electorate. 49% of voters believe Harris is the better candidate to represent the interests of the middle class, compared to 37% for Trump.
Harris also scores higher among those who feel she represents small businesses, blue-collar workers, and union members. Conversely, Trump is viewed as the candidate who aligns more with large corporations and wealthy individuals. His economic plan emphasizes protectionism, with promises to impose high tariffs on imported goods and reduce the corporate tax rate from 21% to 15%, a move that would primarily benefit big businesses.
Despite Trump's appeal to wealthier sectors, Harris remains defiant. From her Washington, D.C., residence, she fired back at Trump, accusing him of seeking "unchecked power" if he returns to the White House. Her remarks followed a New York Times article in which former Trump Chief of Staff John Kelly likened Trump to authoritarian leaders. Harris commented, "The bottom line is this: We know what Donald Trump wants. He wants unchecked power. The question in 13 days will be, what do the American people want?"
The Trump campaign quickly dismissed Harris’s comments, calling them baseless. Trump continued to campaign in Georgia, reiterating his economic promises and questioning Harris's ability to manage the economy effectively.
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