Elon Poll on the economy, job approval ratings, the election and healthcare
Published 3:29 p.m. today
By Elon Poll
KEY FINDINGS
Poll dates: September 23-October 1, 2025 Margin of error: +/- 4.24%
President Trump job performance 50%Disapprove 39%Approve
Since President Trump took office: 49% Economy has gotten worse, 53% Inflation has gotten worse , 50% Job market has gotten worse
2026 U.S. Senate race in NC Have heard “a great deal” or “some” about two major party candidates:
Roy Cooper (D) 75% Michael Whatley (R) 26%
Concern about federal cuts in healthcare spending
Very/somewhat concerned 63% , A little/not at all concerned 36%
Other job approval ratings
Josh Stein: 42% approve, 24% disapprove
N.C. General Assembly: 24% approve, 35% disapprove
U.S. Congress: 21% Approve, 56% disapprove
Economy: Do you think inflation has gotten better, stayed about the same or gotten worse? Better 22% About the same 25% Gotten worse 53%
48% of Republicans think it is better, 60% of Independents and 87% of Democrats say it has gotten worse. 48% of men and 58% of women say it is worse 60% of households earning under $50,000 say it is worse, 49% of earners between 50K-100K say it is worse, and 49% of households earning $100k or more agree it is worse.
Do you think the job market has gotten better, stayed about the same, or gotten worse since President Trump took office? 20% say it is better 31% say it is about the same 50% say it is worse
82% of Democrats say it is worse 41% of Republicns say it is better 54% of Independents say it is worse
45% of men say it is worse 54% of women say it is worse
53% of households earning less than 50K per year say it is worse 43% of those earning between 50K and 100K say it is worse 49% of those earning over 100K per year say it is worse
What letter grade would you give the current national economy of the United States? A 3% B 20% C 33% D 24% F 19%
What letter grade would you give the current state economy of North Carolina? A 3% B 27% C 38% D 20% F 12%
Compared to this point last year, are you more or less confident in the financial situation of you and your family? 23% More confident 33% About the same 44% Less confident
Thinking about your own financial situation, have you experienced a positive or negative impact from the Trump administration’s tariffs on goods imported from other countries, or have you not personally noticed an impact? 14% Positive impact 40% Have not noticed an impact 46% Negative impact
In your opinion, what has been the impact on the national economy from the Trump administration’s approach to immigration enforcement? 38% Very/somewhat better 8% No impact 47% Very/somewhat negative impact 7% Unsure
In your opinion, what has been the impact on North Carolina’s economy from the reduction in federal spending, number of federal employees, elimination of research grants and other government activities? 25% Very/somewhat positive 15% No impact 48% Very/somewhat negative 13% Unsure
Do you approve or disapprove of the job Donald Trump is doing as President of the United States? 39% Approve 50% Disapprove 10% Unsure
92% of Democrats disapprove 84% of Republicans approve 56% of Independents disapprove
47% of Men approve 58% of women disapprove
55% of those earning less than $50k per year disapprove 45% of those earning between 50-100K of income approve (44% disapprove) 53% of those earning above 100K disapprove
Do you approve or disapprove of the job Josh Stein is doing as Governor of North Carolina? 42% Approve 24% Disapprove 34% Unsure
69% of Democrats approve 41% of Republicans disapprove 48% of Independents unsure
36% of those with no 4-year degree approved (38% Unsure) 53% with 4+ year degree approved
41% White approved 54% Black approved 43% Other unsure
Do you approve or disapprove of how the North Carolina General Assembly is doing its job? 24% Approve 35% Disapprove 41% Unsure
52% of Democrats disapprove 42% of Republicans approve 56% of Independents disapprove
40% of men approve 51% of women unsure (31% disapprove)
49% of those with incomes under 5K are unsure (33% disapprove) 39% of those between 50-100K are unsure (31% disapprove) 41% of those earning over 100K disapprove (31% approve)
Do you approve or disapprove of how the United States Congress is doing its job? 21% Approve 56% Disapprove 23% Unsure
77% of Democrats disapprove 39% of Republicans approve (36% disapprove) 62% of Independents disapprove
55% of men disapprove 56% of women disapprove
55% of those earning less than 50K per year disapprove 50% of those earning between 50-100K disapprove 64% of those earning over 100K disapprove
North Carolina is holding local municipal elections on November 4, 2025 for offices like Mayor and City Council. Many things can take focus away from local government. How much attention have you been paying to the local elections in your area? 12% great deal of attention 34% some attention 27% only a little attention 26% no attention at all
Which party do you want to control the U.S. Senate after the 2026 elections? 40% Repubican 40% Democrat 12% Neither 9% Unsure
Which party do you want to control the U.S. House of Representatives after the 2026 elections? 40% said they wanted Republicans 39% said Democrats 11% said Neither 9% said Unsure
How much have you heard about Roy Cooper, a Democratic candidate for U.S. Senator from North Carolina? 46% said a great deal 29% said some 14% said only a little 11% said nothing at all
How much have you heard about Michael Whatley, a Republican candidate for U.S. Senator from North Carolina? 7% said a great deal 19% said some 26% saud only a little 48% said nothing at all
Based on what you know right now, what is your overall impression of Roy Cooper, a Democratic candidate for U.S. Senator from North Carolina? 51% said very favorable 34% said very/somewhat unfavorable 14% said neither favorable or unfavorable
Based on what you know right now, what is your overall impression of Michael Whatley, a Republican candidate for U.S. Senator from North Carolina?
