• Only about 20% of Americans are "extremely" or "very" confident that Trump will lower essential costs.
• Skepticism about Trump's ability to manage inflation spans across both parties, including his supporters.
• Republican optimism for Trump's second term remains high, with 80% believing he will be "great" or "good."
• Confidence in job creation is higher, but overall confidence in economic management is low.
• Health care costs remain a particular concern, with only 16% feeling confident in progress on this issue.

As President-elect Donald Trump prepares to enter his second term, many Americans express skepticism regarding his ability to reduce costs for essential goods and services. A recent AP-NORC poll reveals that just over 20% of U.S. adults are "extremely" or "very" confident in Trump's capacity to lower the prices of groceries, housing, and health care in 2025. While another 20% are "moderately" confident, the findings expose a significant portion of the population—including some of Trump’s own supporters—holding subdued expectations about immediate relief from ongoing economic pressures.

Despite the lack of confidence, support among Republicans remains robust. According to the poll, about 80% of Republicans are optimistic that Trump will be a "great" or "good" president during his second term, reflecting an ongoing hope for economic advancement under his leadership. Conversely, Democrats view his presidency with much more skepticism, with 80% predicting he will be a "poor" or "terrible" president, although this sentiment has softened slightly since his first term.

Key issues like inflation dominated Trump's campaign narrative, with many voters identifying the economy and job creation as their top priorities. However, as Trump assumes office, findings indicate that a substantial number of Americans—less than half of Republicans—are unsure whether he can effectively tackle issues affecting everyday costs. In a parallel vein, overall confidence in Trump's economic management remains low; only about one-third of Americans express high confidence in his ability to handle economic and job-related matters.

Particularly telling are the results concerning health care. A mere 20% of Americans are "extremely" or "very" confident in Trump’s capability to address health care issues, with only 16% believing he can make headway in lowering health care costs. Previous proposals put forth by Trump regarding alternatives to the Affordable Care Act have not been met with solid plans, further dampening public expectation.

In the grand picture, the AP-NORC poll, which surveyed 1,147 adults from January 9-13, indicates that while Trump's favorability has remained relatively stable amid challenges, including multiple indictments and criticisms, public assessment of his upcoming term echoes sentiments about his previous tenure. Nearly half of Americans foresee either a "terrible" or "poor" presidency ahead, a statistic that remains largely unchanged from when he departed the White House in 2021. For additional insights on this contentious subject, refer to the original reporting by AP News, Newsweek, CBS News, Salon, and HuffPost.