60% Of Americans Give Biden Thumbs Down On Economy In A Rough Start To 2022

President Joe Biden did not get off to his best start in the new year as a solid majority of Americans expressed frustration over his handling of the COVID-19 pandemic and the economy. 

On Tuesday, a CNBC/Change Research poll found that Biden’s economic management received poor grades with 60% of those polled expressing their disapproval. This negative score has also cut into Biden’s overall approval rating, which sagged to 44%, the lowest of his young presidency. 

Why Biden’s ratings continue to crater may have to do as much with Americans’ mounting concerns over inflation and the intensification of the COVID-19 pandemic this winter. 

Prices for core goods like food and energy have been pushed higher by a combination of supply chain bottlenecks and a nationwide labor shortage. Cases of COVID-19 have surged in the last month due to the Omicron variant, pushing a number of cities to tighten their restrictions or introduce new ones to curb the virus’ spread. 

Inflation has had a direct impact on Americans' views about the economy. The CNBC/Change poll found that Americans were putting the blame on Biden with 72% disapproving of his handling of everyday prices and his relief efforts.