The GOP continues to outperform Democrats on various fronts, this time being voted the party with the better economic plan. According to a May 2025 CNN/SSRS poll, the Republican Party edged the Democratic Party by a 7-point margin as the party that aligns with the economic views of Americans. Three polls conducted between 2022 and 2023 have the Republican Party perceived as being the most aligned with the economic values of Americans. “Asked which party best reflects their views on handling the economy more broadly – a perennial top issue that has frequently favored the GOP – the public gives the Republican Party an advantage, but a shrinking one,” CNN stated.
The positive outlook defied the ongoing talk of a potential recession, ongoing tariff wars, and market volatility. The supposedly bleak economic outlook of the Democrats has failed to convince most Americans. They are also likely still suffering from the hangover of the economic mismanagement of the Biden administration, which oversaw the highest inflation in 40 years.
On other economic issues, most Americans (54%) still believe that hard work is essential for success, though this is down from 67% in 2016 when Trump first entered the White House. However, that number was even lower on the left, with 65% of Democrats and 71% of those who identify as liberals saying hard work does not guarantee success. Similarly, more than half (52%) of Black Americans believe that hard work does not contribute to achieving the American dream. However, barely a quarter (24%) of Republicans believe that hard work and determination do not guarantee success. Other groups with this perception include under 30s (53%), those earning less than $50,000 per year (48%), between $50,000 and $100,000 earners, and college graduates (47%).
This perception is usually perpetrated by the left that claims race, gender, and other identity markers, not hard work, are significant determinants of success. Thankfully, President Trump has dismantled the diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) policy that overlooked merit for racial quotas. This will ensure that no more participation trophies are awarded to nonperformers, and personal effort is rewarded accordingly.
The Republican Party also outperformed the Democratic Party on taxes, with 37 percent of respondents aligning themselves with the GOP’s taxation policy, compared to 30 percent who aligned with the Democrats. The GOP also performed better than its rival on the federal budget, with 34% approving of its policy compared to 29% who favored the Democratic Party’s. “The public also leans modestly toward the GOP when it comes to taxes (by a 7-point margin) and the federal budget (5 points),” CNN noted.
Trump’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) has already saved Americans over $160 billion in wasteful spending to reduce the national debt. Most Americans also approve of DOGE’s efforts to streamline the federal budget. Meanwhile, the Republican Party polled highest on fighting crime and law and order, outperforming the Democratic Party by 13 points. Similarly, the GOP has consistently attracted a favorable perception on the issue.
