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The confidence question

Official figures show America’s economy has made a significant comeback after the pandemic. Many Americans aren’t buying it and their opinion could decide 2024's election

9 June 2024

  • A collage of a chopped up 100-dollar bill, with red and blue squares

    Is the US economy doing well? It depends if you ask a Democrat or a Republican

    Data shows that when Americans’ preferred party is in the White House, they’re more likely to boast of a booming economy – even if it’s untrue

29 May 2024

  • Composite photo of ripped up 100-dollar bill in black and white, red and blue

    ‘Bidenomics’ is not convincing Michigan’s must-win swing county. Will voters turn back to Trump?

    Democrats try to connect the dots as some in Saginaw wonder if Trump is ‘just a better fit with the economy’

22 May 2024

  • Confidence question

    Do you know how the US economy is actually doing? Try our interactive quiz

    Exclusive Harris poll for the Guardian shows the majority of Americans think the country’s in recession – but it isn’t. Test your own knowledge here
  • A man wearing a blue suit stands in front of a green tractor in a grassy field.

    Inflation, election lies and racial tension weigh on voters in Georgia swing county: ‘We all got to eat’

    In Peach county, where Trump narrowly won in 2020, voters say they’re struggling with rising prices ahead of the presidential election
  • Graphic illustration of many slits of what look like printed paper, in mostly white, with a couple blue and a couple red.

    Majority of Americans wrongly believe US is in recession – and most blame Biden

    Exclusive Harris poll for the Guardian shows 55% believe economy is shrinking, in troubling sign for president’s re-election bid

10 April 2024

  • Scott and Theresa Richardson high res

    He voted Trump in 2016, Biden in 2020. He’s the kind of voter candidates are desperate to swing

    Small business owner Scott Richardson chose Trump to shake things up but a strong economy means he’s sticking with Biden

20 February 2024

  • a man in sunglasses looks at a crowd of people

    Voters may at last be coming round to Biden’s sunny view of the economy

    America’s robust economic indicators under the president have not been reflected in opinion polls – but that could be changing

14 November 2023

  • Donald Trump and Joe Biden during the final 2020 presidential campaign debate in Nashville, Tennesse, on 22 October 2020.

    Biden’s economic messaging should ‘hit Trump’ and highlight his mistakes, data reveals

    Biden can revive ailing poll numbers by reminding voters Trump was a threat to social security and cut taxes for the wealthy

16 September 2023

  • An illustration of torn money

    Does Wile E Coyote explain US voters’ gloom amid buoyant economy?

    Official figures point to an impressive recovery but many Americans don’t feel that way. Is the economy heading for a fall?

15 September 2023

  • Biden speaks in Largo, Maryland.

    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
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