A recent NBC News poll indicates that a significant number of Americans think the economic and political systems are rigged against them, reaching levels not seen in decades. Nearly 60% of voters express this sentiment, marking a record high in the nearly 40 years that NBC has conducted national polling. Specifically, 59% of respondents believe the two systems are interwoven, while 38% disagree and 3% remain uncertain.
The current response parallels a peak noted in April 1992. Interestingly, the percentage of voters feeling constrained by U.S. policies has grown since the Great Recession, which lasted from December 2007 to June 2009.
Just under half of voters, 47%, previously agreed that both systems were against individuals like them, but now it’s evident that a larger share is voicing discontent. David Hebert, an economist with the American Institute for Economic Research, remarked on the disconnect between government statistics indicating economic success and the widespread dissatisfaction among millions of Americans. He suggested that the average citizen often has a clearer grasp of local issues than the narratives coming from Washington.
Herbert pointed out that the sense of frustration is palpable. He criticized both political parties for proposing similar solutions—mainly increased subsidies and industrial policies—which often lead to favoritism. This tendency allows those with connections to benefit more from government resources, contributing significantly to public discontent.
In a separate survey from 2026, a striking 84% of voters agreed that wealthy individuals often escape accountability and utilize their influence for preferential treatment, leaving only 14% to disagree. Many of those who concurred noted that the perception of the wealthy being above the law has intensified over the past several years.
Herbert further explained that most Americans are not against capitalism itself; rather, they oppose the nepotism that enables the privileged to receive bailouts and tax breaks, ultimately harming smaller businesses striving to succeed. He contrasted the ease with which large corporations access high-ranking officials to the burdens small businesses face when seeking help from the government.
Polling data revealed that 67% of independents and 73% of Democrats feel the system does not favor them. Among Democrats, this sentiment has surged by 26 points since September 2022. Meanwhile, 44% of Republicans share the same belief, though this marks a decline of 21 points from the previous year.
Pollster Jeff Horwitt commented that the emotions reflected in these results signal a significant level of anger towards the existing political and economic framework. This widespread dissatisfaction could pose challenges for established political entities.
As the midterm elections approach, some recent polls are raising alarms for Republicans. For instance, a CBS News/YouGov survey from late February revealed that only 37% of voters approved of President Trump’s economic responses, while a majority disapproved.
Kentucky Republican Senator Rand Paul warned that without a drop in U.S. oil prices, Republicans might face severe losses in the upcoming election. Nevertheless, the White House has maintained a positive narrative, suggesting that Trump is committed to providing relief and revitalizing the American economy.
The NBC News poll was conducted from February 27 to March 3, surveying 1,000 registered U.S. voters through both phone interviews and online questionnaires. The margin of error for this poll is ±3.1 percentage points.
