Inflation Dampens Economic Optimism Despite Positive Growth Metrics

Inflation and high interest rates are overshadowing positive economic metrics like low unemployment and robust job growth in Americans' views.

Inflation reduces purchasing power despite wage growth, disproportionately impacting low-income Americans.

Media coverage has increasingly mismatched economic realities, focusing on negatives over positives.

Partisan biases shape perceptions, with Republicans overly pessimistic and Democrats overly optimistic.

Strife at home and abroad contributes to a poor baseline view of the economy even when metrics are strong.