As the holiday season ramps up, many Americans are forced to go into the Christmas holidays with a much tighter budget on gifts for family and friends due to Trump’s economic policies.
A new survey from the Associated Press and the NORC Center for Public Affairs Research finds that higher prices are forcing families to rethink how much they can afford to spend, and in many cases, what they can afford to skip.
According to the poll, a large majority of U.S. adults have noticed price increases in recent months, especially for essentials like groceries and electricity. Holiday gifts are also becoming more expensive, and the timing could not be worse. About half of respondents said it is harder to afford gifts this year. Similar numbers said they are delaying big purchases or cutting back on nonessential spending more than usual.
For many households, the issue is not just one luxury item; it’s everything adding up at once. Higher food bills, rising utility costs, and everyday expenses are reducing the money that would normally go toward gifts, travel, or seasonal traditions. Instead of splurging, families say they are tightening their budgets, searching for deals, and making tougher choices about what they really need.
These findings come as President Donald Trump has tried to downplay concerns about the economy while urging Americans to lower their holiday expectations. Speaking at an event in Pennsylvania, Trump suggested families could simply do without some items. “You can give up certain products,” he said. He mentioned “pencils” and then talked about toys for children. “You don’t need 37 dolls for your daughter. Two or three is nice, but you don’t need 37 dolls.”
Those comments come as many parents are already cutting back. The poll shows that Americans are not just shortening gift lists; they are reconsidering spending overall. Respondents said they are postponing major purchases, reducing dining out, and avoiding nonessential expenses as the year comes to a close.
This year, the usual holiday spending rush, which retailers depend on, may look different. Instead of impulse buys and last-minute splurges, shoppers seem to be going to stores with caution. For some, that means buying fewer gifts. For others, it means spreading purchases out over time or waiting for sales that may or may not happen.
Trump has continued to project confidence about his economy; he has described challenges as temporary and manageable while blaming Joe Biden. He has gone back on the road doing his trademark rallies, telling Americans to stay focused on the bigger picture and to trust his economic approach. But the poll suggests that many people are running out of patience as they struggle to make ends meet.
Trump’s messaging will also lead to the GOP being swiped out in the midterms, and several reports have indicated that aides have tried to steer him in the direction of focusing on affordability, which has been a winning strategy for Democrats so far. Whether Trump and the GOP can turn the polls around in their favor will be based on whether his One Big Beautiful Bill Act starts to have results in turning around the economy for everyday people.
