Memo: Summer 2026 Economy Poll

Methodology: This memo summarizes key findings from a national poll of 2,000 registered Hispanic voters, conducted from May 11 to 25, 2026, as well as a national poll of 420 registered non-Hispanic voters, conducted from May 11 to 23, 2026. The Hispanic poll has a margin of error of ± 2 pp. The non-Hispanic poll has a margin of error of ± 5 pp.

The latest Equis poll, focused on economic views, shows the first major drops in Trump approval among Latinos since last summer, changes in the Republican party brand, evolving views on the American Dream, corruption worries that hit both parties, and conflicted perspectives on AI data centers. 

The takeaways include:

1. Latino Trump approval has significantly decreased for the first time since last summer, his ratings on the economy and cost of living have collapsed, and feelings of regret and disappointment have increased among his 2024 voters.

‍Trump’s national approval rating among Latinos decreased in May to net -31 (63% disapprove, 31% approve), down from net -25 in March. This is the first meaningful change in Trump approval since last summer in Equis polling. Among Latinos who voted for him in 2024, a third (33%) say they are disappointed or regret their vote, up from 28% in March. Feelings of regret and disappointment continue to be higher among Latino Trump voters compared to non-Latino Trump voters, whose regret and disappointment currently sits at 25%. Of those Latino Trump voters who expressed being disappointed or regretting their vote, the top three reasons cited for why are Trump’s broken promises and lies (27%), his handling of the economy and the cost of living (24%), and foreign relations and the war (23%).

2. There is a rise in potential defection among Latino voters who voted for Trump in 2024, up to 21% in May 2026 from 14% in Oct 2025.

Overall, Democrats have a 21pp lead nationally with Latinos in the 2026 generic congressional ballot, and a 13pp lead in competitive congressional districts. Overall, Democratic support among Latinos has been stable since the beginning of the year. There has been a rise, however, in the levels of potential defection among Latinos who voted for Trump in 2024. About 1-in-10 Latino Trump voters (11%) now say they'll vote for a Democrat in 2026, and another 10% say they’re undecided. In October of last year, 14% of Latino Trump voters showed signs of potential defection – they said they planned to vote for a Democrat in 2026 or were undecided. In May of this year, that number is now 21%. For context, the 11% of Trump voters now planning to vote for a Democrat is similar to the rate of defection we saw among 2020 Biden voters in 2024 (9%), with room to grow among those who are still undecided. Among those who say they regret or are disappointed in their vote for Trump in 2024, the number of voters saying they’ll vote for a Democrat climbs to 29%, with another 8% undecided.

3. Trump approval on Latinos' number one issue, the economy and cost of living, continues to decrease, especially among Latinos.

Over half of Latinos mention either the cost of living (34%) or the economy/jobs (28%) as the top issue the country is facing today. Trump’s approval on cost of living has collapsed, at net -52 (down from -38 in February), as has his approval on the economy, at net -45 (down from -28). His approval on the economy is particularly negative among Latinos compared to non-Latinos (net -45 vs. net -25), as well as on cost of living (net -52 vs. net-39). His approval numbers are notably low among young Latino men ages 18-39, a key group that swung for Trump in 2024, with approval on the economy at net -53 and -63 on the cost of living. 

4. Perceptions of the parties' brands have shifted over the past year among Latinos, with Republicans taking damage in areas of former strength like getting things done and representing order and stability. Cynicism about both parties is also present, especially among undecideds in this year's midterms.

‍Latinos have soured on the Republican party brand in the past year, with some of the biggest losses happening in areas of former strength like "gets things done" and "party of order and stability." Democrats have retained, and even improved on, their traditional strength among Latinos as the party that is "better for Hispanics" and "cares about people like you," but Republican losses have not fully translated into Democratic gains. Among 2026 undecided voters, party brands are weak on both sides. Many of these voters do not have a clear view of what the parties stand for or who they fight for, and there are signs of widespread cynicism: 42% say neither party cares about people like them, 38% say neither party gets things done, and 35% say neither party is the party of the American Dream. 

5. Most Latinos believe the American Dream is possible, but the term carries negative baggage for many. That said, Latinos are fierce believers in the value of hard work in getting ahead. But today, getting ahead is more about stability, security, and safety than it is about grander visions of wealth.

A majority of Latinos believe the American Dream is possible, whether they believe it’s harder to achieve than it used to be (47%) or is just as achievable as it always was (13%). But 32% of Latinos believe the American Dream “used to be achievable, but isn't anymore,” and an additional 7% say it has never been achievable. While the concept of the American Dream comes with some pessimism, a majority of Latinos (72%) still believe in one of its core tenets of social mobility, agreeing that there “is a lot of opportunity in this country for people to get ahead if they are willing to work hard.” In holding both of these truths at once, Latinos are focused on an American Dream that is more about stability, security, and safety than it is about grander visions of wealth. Voters in this poll tell us the most essential parts of a successful life are “being able to live comfortably and pay for basic necessities without stress” (45%) and “living in a safe and stable community” (40%), compared to “owning a home” (27%), “owning my own business” (9%), or “becoming wealthy” (8%).

6. Most Latinos agree that “corrupt politicians are looking out for themselves… while supporting policies that make basic necessities less affordable” – but the perception affects both parties, and overall is less resonant among Spanish-dominant Latinos.

‍Over 80% of Latinos agree that corrupt politicians are looking out for themselves, whether it’s “getting richer by trading stocks in industries they oversee in Congress and grabbing up campaign cash from special interests” (82%) or “getting richer by supporting programs that benefit them and other powerful people and giving contracts to friends and family” (84%).  However, corruption frames are less resonant among Spanish-dominant Latinos (51% agree, 44% disagree on combined perceptions of corruption) compared to English-dominant Latinos (92% agree, 6% disagree), suggesting that corruption framing may be less resonant among Spanish-dominants. Among Latinos overall who agree that corrupt politicians are looking out for themselves, Republicans are more likely to be seen as corrupt (51%), but nearly a third (29%) say Democrats and 12% say both parties. But among key groups, voters are split or see Democrats as more corrupt than Republicans. Voters who are undecided in this year’s midterms, for example, are more likely to say that both parties are corrupt (29% v 12% among Latinos overall). 2024 Latino Trump voters who say they are disappointed or regret their vote - a key group for persuasion efforts - are more likely to say Democrats are corrupt (38%, versus 30% saying Republicans, and 16% saying both). 

7. Most Latinos are concerned about AI’s impact on jobs and utility costs, but many still see the potential benefits of AI investment.

‍Nearly 3-in-4 (74%) of Latinos agree that “AI data centers are responsible for raising the costs of utilities and must be better regulated.” A similar share (71%) agree that “AI will take away jobs and make it harder for future generations to be economically successful.”. Young Latinos are especially concerned about AI taking away jobs (79%). But Latinos are split on whether “building new AI data centers will create jobs and opportunities and allow the United States to remain competitive,” with 46% agreeing and 47% disagreeing. Latinos are similarly unsure about the potential benefits of AI, with 42% agreeing and 50% disagreeing that “AI will create new industries that make future generations more economically successful.” While Latinos are worried about AI’s impact on jobs and utility costs, there is more uncertainty around the potential benefits of AI.

8. Latinos are eager to see lawmakers address their everyday economic concerns – from healthcare to groceries. ‍

Latinos most want to see lawmakers lower the cost of healthcare and health insurance (very important for 89% of Latinos), closely followed by lowering the cost of food and groceries (87%), and lowering the cost of gas (83%). These everyday concerns take priority, reflecting the pressure Latinos are feeling at the gas pump, the grocery store, and the pharmacy.