Olson on NEWSMAX: Analysis on the Economy & Public Opinion

Byline: Olson Strategies Staff

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Dustin Olson, Managing Partner at Olson Strategies, joined Sunday Report with Jon Glasgow on NEWSMAX to break down why public frustration with the economy is driven more by perception than reality—and why “Pocketbook issues,” which we are now calling “affordability” will remain the defining political issue heading into the midterms.

Affordability, Inflation, and the Perception Gap

Olson pointed to the latest data from the December Harvard-Harris poll, which shows broad majority support for President Trump’s policies, including the economy and even tariffs. Despite that support, Olson noted a major disconnect in how Americans perceive inflation.

“So 71% think inflation is well over 3%. Democrats think it's 5%, Republicans think it's 4%, but the interesting thing, and this is why what the president's doing, going out there and telling people the truth about what's happening, is really important, is that when you let people know that inflation is actually under 3%, Americans quickly, almost a majority, change their view of the of the economy and inflation, and improve their perspective.”

Olson emphasized that this is why consistent, clear messaging on economic reality matters—when voters understand the facts, their confidence rebounds.

Why Tax Time Could Change the Public Mood

Looking ahead, Olson said the biggest shift in public sentiment will come when voters feel policy changes directly in their wallets.

“For most businesses and a lot of industries, two of their top input costs are energy and taxes. Right now, we see falling gas prices. So all the One Big Beautiful Bill policies are going to be taking effect come January, and people are going to be feeling that tax relief. So I think that's where we're going to have a big change in the public mood.”

He added that affordability—what pollsters have long called “pocketbook issues”—almost always is one of the major factors in elections. That isn’t going to change for 2026

A Tight Midterm Landscape

Olson also highlighted Democrats’ ongoing struggles, noting historically low approval for congressional Democrats in Quinnipiac polling. Despite a small edge on the generic ballot, he argued Democrats are underperforming compared to past midterm cycles.

The takeaway: if Republicans stay focused on pocketbook issues and household finances, the midterms may be far more competitive than what history suggests.

📊 For more polling insights, visit: PollingClub.com