Latest University of Michigan Survey of Consumers reveals drop in confidence due to Trump War of Whimsy

 

Headline and graph:  Survey of Consumers

Joanne Hsu reports:

Consumer sentiment fell back 6% this month to its lowest level since December 2025. Declines were seen across age and political party. Consumers with middle and higher incomes and stock wealth, buffeted by both escalating gas prices and volatile financial markets in the wake of the Iran conflict, exhibited particularly large drops in sentiment. Overall, the short-run economic outlook plunged 14%, and year-ahead expected personal finances sank 10%, while declines in long-run expectations were more subdued. These patterns suggest that, at this time, consumers may not expect recent negative developments to persist far into the future. These views are subject to change, however, if the Iran conflict becomes protracted or if higher energy prices pass through to overall inflation. Interviews for this release were collected between February 17 and March 23, with about two-thirds completed after the start of the US military conflict in Iran.  [emphasis added]

Related posts:

March 16-31, 2026

Q:  What's the difference between Vietnam and Iran?  (3/28)

Former NATO Supreme Allied Commander gives it straight to South Dakota audience:  Trump War of Whimsey is not going well.  (3/28)

New York Times mistakes Trump's mental incompetence for "freestyle diplomacy".  (3/27)

"Dear Media, stop acting like Trump means what he says" (Iran War edition).  (3/24)

Dear New York Times, Have you considered the possibility that Trump "dizzying turnabouts" have everything to do with his mental health and cognitive decline?  Best, Retiring Guy   (3/18)

March 11-15, 2026

Donald Trump is not a details person (Iran War edition).  (3/13)

Sleepy Don started a most unpopular war.  (3/12)

First tariffs, now war in Iran.  Trump is fucking over American farmers big time.  (3/13)

Meet Chris Wright, clown serving as Trumps energy secretary.  (3/12)

March 6-10, 2026

Sycophants at Fox News give Trump cover with old news clip for his disrespect of slain soldiers.  (3/9)

Thanks to Trump War of Whimsy, you are now paying more at the pump.  (3/9) 

Trump War of Whimsy on Iran:  From "yours to take" to "unconditional surrender".  (3/8)

Donald Trump foolishly takes Randy Newman's advice:  You can leave your hat on.  (3/8)

Stranded in the Middle East?  Sorry, folks, Trump doesn't give a shit about you.  (3/7)

Crude oil futures up 35% since start of Iran "conflict".  (3/6)

GOP as a bag of pretzels.  (3/6)

March 1-5. 2026

Thanks to Trump's War of Whimsy against Iran, the price of crude oil has recently shot up 22%. (3/5)

War of Whimsey aided and abetted by cowering and caving GOP.  (3/5)

Pete Hegseth at the podium:  This is exactly what an authoritarian's henchman and fulltime sycophant would say.  (3/4)

When it comes to Trump breaking news, transcribers @nytimes are at the ready.  (3/4)

Thanks to Trump, price of oil spikes like a bad fever.  You’ll soon be feeling the chill at the gas pump — if not already .  (3/3)

Apparently, coordination is not Pete Hegseth's strong suit.  (3/2).  

Corporate media needs to stop acting like Trump means what he says (Iran War edition).  (3/2)

February 2026

Donald Trump:  Not a details guy (Attacking Iran edition).  (2/26)