US economy going strong under Biden – Americans don’t believe it

Despite a strong economy, an exclusive Guardian poll shows mistrust in media and government means disbelief in both parties

Americans do not trust the government's economic news - or the media's reporting of it - according to a Harris poll conducted exclusively for the Guardian that presents the White House with a major hurdle as it pushes Biden's economic record ahead of next year's election.

The US has roared back from the Covid recession by official measures. But two-thirds of Americans are unhappy about the economy despite consistent reports that inflation is easing and unemployment is close to a 50-year low. And the poll suggests many are unaware of or don't believe the positive economic news the government has reported.

Two-thirds of respondents (68%) reported it's difficult to be happy about positive economic news when they feel financially squeezed each month (Republicans: 69%, Democrats: 68%).

Two-thirds of Americans (65%) believe that the economy is worse than the media makes it out to be rather than better (35%).

In August the unemployment rate was 3.8%, close to a 50-year low. But the poll found that 51% wrongly believe that unemployment is nearing a 50-year high rather than those who believe it's actually low (49%).