WASHINGTON (NewsNation) — America’s economic health remains a top priority in most polls, with the economy and each 2024 presidential candidate’s plans taking center stage on the campaign trail this week.
Recent Gallup data shows that 33% of Americans view economic issues as the “most important problem” facing the U.S. right now.
Vice President Kamala Harris has started sharing her economic plans, which some argue resemble those of her opponent more than expected.
Meanwhile, former President Donald Trump will give an interview with tech entrepreneur and richest man in the world Elon Musk on Monday before traveling through North Carolina with his economic message.
The Harris-Walz team is expected to do the same in North Carolina and in the battleground state of Georgia.
Who do Americans trust more with the economy?
A new Financial Times/University of Michigan Ross Business School poll shows Harris gaining ground on Trump on several issues, with the most notable shift being on the economy. This marks the first time that the Democratic candidate is ahead on the issue in nearly a year.
The August poll shows 42% of voters trust Harris to manage the economy, compared to 41% who trust Trump. It’s a change from July, when 35% of voters trusted President Joe Biden while Trump’s percentage remained unchanged.
Recent unemployment numbers and stock market volatility have hurt Biden, and Harris is starting to distance herself from the administration, even adopting some of Trump’s proposals.
On Saturday, Harris pushed a plan to eliminate taxes on tipped wages.
“It is my promise to everyone here, when I am president, we will continue our fight for working families of America, including to raise the minimum wage and eliminate taxes on tips for service and hospitality workers,” Harris announced during a Las Vegas campaign rally.
Trump told a Nevada crowd the same thing in June.
Trump on Truth Social immediately went on the defense, writing, “Kamala has no imagination, whatsoever, as shown by the fact that she played ‘COPYCAT’ with, NO TAXES ON TIPS!”
Voters think Trump better for finances: Poll
While voters may have more confidence in Harris with the economy, they trust Trump more with their personal finances.
According to the Financial Times/University of Michigan poll, 42% say they’ll be financially better off under a second Trump presidency, compared to 33% who say the same about Harris.
However, Trump is losing ground in this area as well. In July, 45% of voters said they’d be better off under Trump, whereas now only 40% hold that view, and 35% said they’d be worse off if he retakes the White House.
