AP-NORC Poll: Most Americans Say GOP Bill Hurts Poor, Helps Rich/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ A new AP-NORC poll reveals most U.S. adults believe the Republican tax and spending bill benefits the wealthy while hurting low-income Americans. Despite GOP messaging, public perception remains critical, with many fearing increased economic inequality. Trump’s approval on government spending has also dipped significantly.
GOP Tax Reform Public Reaction Quick Looks
- Public Doubts: 66% believe the tax law will help the wealthy
- Harm to Poor: 60% say it will hurt low-income Americans
- Middle-Class Impact: 50% feel the law does more harm than good for them
- Trump’s Approval Slips: Government spending approval drops to 38%
- Bipartisan Concern: Even some Republicans see it as a benefit for the rich
- GOP Messaging: Focused on tip and overtime deductions
- Democrats Push Back: Point to Medicaid and food aid cuts
- Working-Class Anxiety: Single moms and caregivers cite fears of reduced support
- Small Business Support: Some Republicans see value for entrepreneurs
- Poll Stats: Based on a representative sample of 1,437 U.S. adults
AP-NORC Poll: Most Americans Say GOP Tax Bill Hurts Poor, Helps Rich
Deep Look
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Despite Republican efforts to portray their newly passed tax and spending package as a victory for working Americans, a new AP-NORC poll finds that most U.S. adults view the legislation as a gift to the wealthy and a blow to the poor.
Roughly two-thirds of Americans (66%) believe the tax law will disproportionately benefit the rich, while around 60% say it will hurt low-income individuals more than help them. Half believe middle-class Americans like themselves will also be negatively affected.
The findings strike at the heart of GOP messaging, which has included aggressive advertising campaigns touting deductions for tipped and overtime workers as proof that the law supports everyday earners. However, many voters are unconvinced, citing provisions that cut funding to Medicaid, SNAP (food assistance), and federal disability support.
First-Hand Fears: Real-World Impacts
Anaiah Barrow, a 25-year-old single mother from North Carolina, described feeling blindsided by the law. “It may not seem huge now, but long-term it’s going to hit bad,” she said. Her TikTok-driven awareness of the law centers on the fear of losing vital support for childcare and food access while she works and attends college.
Similarly, Lori Nichols, a 51-year-old Illinois caregiver, blasted the law for ignoring seniors and the disabled. Although a Republican, she said:
“As far as the tax part goes, it seems to me like [Trump’s] just making the rich richer.”
Nichols previously voted for Democrat Joe Biden in 2020 and skipped the 2024 presidential race entirely — reflecting growing voter detachment even among traditional party lines.
Fading Support Among Republicans
Interestingly, about half of Republicans acknowledge the law benefits the wealthy. Yet the partisanship runs deeper — only 6% of Democrats believe it will help “people like them,” compared to 20% of independents and about 50% of Republicans.
One Republican supporter, Geraldine Putnam, 87, said she expects to pay more taxes under Trump’s law, even though she remains loyal. “He thinks what he’s doing is correct,” she said. “It’s just the extreme method that he’s using.”
Trump’s Slipping Approval on Spending
The law’s $1.3 trillion price tag may be driving further public skepticism. According to the same AP-NORC poll, only 38% of Americans approve of how Trump is handling government spending, down from 46% in March.
Although Republicans were less critical of federal spending under Trump than they were during the Biden administration, a majority (60%) still believe the government is overspending.
A major point of confusion stems from Trump’s federal staffing cuts — especially in fraud monitoring roles. Putnam, a retiree, expressed her frustration:
“He fires the people in the office that are supposed to be checking for abuse. What’s the sense in that?”
Key Polling Takeaways
- Awareness is High: 67% of Americans had heard at least “some” about the new law
- Informed = Skeptical: Those who read more about the law are more likely to believe it favors the wealthy
- GOP Messaging Faces Resistance: Even among conservative voters, benefits to average Americans aren’t broadly felt
- Economic Anxiety Across Parties: Democrats, Independents, and some Republicans fear reduced access to essential aid
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