It's actually the difference between "Consumer Confidence" and "Consumer sentiment". They're not the same measurements, but you TDS infected Leftists are mixing them trying to prove Trump's economy is a failure.
So for the record "Consumer sentiment" is indeed at record lows. No argument there. Meanwhile, "Consumer confidence"....an entirely different measurement, currently is low, but it's
NOT at "all time lows".
An education for you mind number TDS crazed Leftists.
Consumer Sentiment Hits Record Low—Economy Stays Solid
excerpt
Consumer sentiment has dropped to record lows, but the economic outlook isn’t too much worse. The measures of consumer attitudes that are frequently cited in news reports have little independent impact on actual behavior. The
Index of Consumer Sentiment, has been published by the University of Michigan since 1952, but has never been as low as the May 2026 level. Both of the major sub components, current conditions and expected conditions, fell. However, the other major survey, the
Conference Board’s Consumer Confidence measure, was low but not unusually low.
What the two surveys measure:
Investopedia describes differences between the two surveys: “Many who watch both numbers say that the Conference Board survey tends to be better at picking up on indicators related to the job market and job security, while the Michigan survey is a better measure of pocketbook issues like the price of gasoline.” In May 2026, employment was fine but gasoline prices soared, causing the sharp drop in Consumer Sentiment but no loss in the Consumer Confidence survey.
Here are the actual numbers
US Consumer Confidence Edged Downward in May
excerpt
The Conference Board
Consumer Confidence Index® dipped 0.7 points to 93.1 (1985=100) in May, down from an upwardly revised 93.8 in April. The
Expectations Index—based on consumers’ short-term outlook for income, business, and labor market conditions—rose by 1.0 points to 74.4. The survey period for this month’s preliminary results was May 1–19, encompassing the ongoing war in the Middle East that is placing upward pressure on prices globally.
As the data show, consumer Confidence is low, but not at "record lows" and today's numbers are likely to change dramatically once current dynamic factors impacting the lower ratings (ie: gasoline and living expenses) adjust to improvements in current economic trends.
What the "consumer sentiment" index measures
U.S. consumer sentiment is at the lowest it has ever been, but what is it?
excerpt
"The Consumer Sentiment Index tries to measure how individuals are feeling about their own personal economies both today and in the future, and then groups those up with the experiences of a bunch of other people to try and generalize what that might mean about the economy," The latest consumer sentiment score is 44.8 — the lowest since the survey started in 1952. That means more people are saying they are struggling financially right now, or worry that they will be in the future, than they did during the COVID-19 pandemic, the Great Recession in 2008 and in the days following 9/11. Increased prices at the pump, the grocery store and retail overall are driving the sentiment slide by making it tough on people to cover everyday expenses.
more
Surveys of Consumers Director Joanne Hsu said that 57% of consumers spontaneously mentioned that high prices were "eroding their personal finances, up from 50% last month. Lower-income consumers and those without college degrees posted particularly strong sentiment declines."
*editor's note
The conference board's "Consumer Confidence" survey is a broader survey of market conditions and trends. It's more reliable predicting economic trends, and as the data above shows, however it's not at "all time lows", and underlying indicators such as business investments and stable incomes are trending upward. The "consumer sentiment" survey is more volatile, and based more on current conditions which are neither long term indicators of future economic performance, nor lasting impressions because they are based on dynamically adjusting conditions.
If Trump successfully negotiates a signed agreement to end hostilities with Iran which then lead to an expansion of world market crude that lowers gasoline prices, then the "consumer sentiment" survey could take a drastic jump in coming months as energy prices lower and economic activity expands as a result. Of course TDS infected Leftists hope that doesn't happen, because it will torpedo one of their chief arguments against Trump and for a Democrat led Congress that can block implementation of his agenda.
Now you understand why these malcontents are hyping the more volatile "consumer sentiment" survey, and would love to see the peace deal with Iran collapse. They know if Trump succeeds in the Middle East, their biggest hope to stop him from completing his so far successful MAGA agenda dies with the radical Mullah's dream of a nuclear armed Iran to terrorize America and threaten Israel's existence.
My prediction: Trump will succeed in disarming Iran, the economy will boom after gas prices come down, and Leftists will be crying in their beer after Trump and the GOP not only hold onto power in the mid terms, but expand their majorities to near veto proof margins.
Leftists upset over losing to Trump again!
Imagine how miserable they are feeling today knowing they've lost again!
You actually Love making Leftists miserable too don't 'ya DJT?
