White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre defended the performance of the U.S. economy Thursday when she was pressed on a new poll showing an overwhelming majority of Americans think the country is on the ‘wrong track.’

She was asked about a bleak Monmouth University poll that came out Tuesday, showing a stunning 88 per cent of Americans who say the nation is on the ‘wrong track’ – and just 10 per cent saying it is going in the right direction.    

‘I don’t think it’s that our plan is not popular with the American people. We know that the American people are feeling the high cost. We understand what they are feeling,’ she told Fox News correspondent Peter Doocy.

‘Because when we look at inflation, we look at where we are economically – and we are in a strong, we are stronger economically than we have been in history. You look at the unemployment numbers at 3.6%. When you look at the jobs numbers, more than 8.7 million new jobs created. That is important. But we understand that gas prices are high and we understand the costs are high,’ she said. 

‘We are in a strong, we are stronger economically than we have been in history,’ said White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre when asked about a new poll that shows 88 per cent of Americans say the country is on the wrong track

Gas and oil prices have been dropping in recent weeks – easing a top problem for the Biden administration, although fears of a recession could be a contributing factor. 

Jean-Pierre once put the elevated prices in Russian President Vladimir Putin’s lap, although prices were higher a year ago before Russia’s February invasion of Ukraine.

‘The President understands what the American people understand.  He understands that gas prices are high because of Putin’s tax hike, because of the war that Putin – the brutal war that Putin has taken on in Ukraine … That’s what we’re seeing here.’

She then pointed to food insecurity and fuel costs, pointing out administration efforts to tap the Strategic Petroleum Reserve and other measures. 

US President Joe Biden acknowledges US soccer player Megan Rapinoe before presenting her with the Presidential Medal of Freedom. Biden has called inflation his top priority

President Joe Biden’s job approval continues to sink. Currently, he stands at 36 percent approval, while 58 percent disapprove

Nearly half those surveyed said inflation and gas were the biggest concerns currently facing their families, with 33 percent saying inflation and 15 percent pointing to fuel costs.

Gas prices have dropped in recent weeks amid recession fears

‘But again, we understand what the American people are feeling. We’re doing everything that we can. We have a plan. Here’s the thing: We have a plan,’ she said. ‘Republicans do not have a plan. What they want to do is take away rights from the American people.’

The new Monmouth University Poll, taken weeks before off-year congressional campaigning steps up, found that 88 percent of Americans surveyed said the country was headed in the wrong direction

Nearly half those surveyed said inflation and gas were the biggest concerns currently facing their families, with 33 percent saying inflation and 15 percent pointing to fuel costs. 

Forty-two per cent of Americans said they are struggling to remain where they are financially. 

And inflation and gas prices were rated the top two family concerns by a variety of demographic groups – crossing income, race and political party, pollsters found. 

Those naming either inflation or gas prices as their top concerned made up a combined 48 per cent of those surveyed. 

Biden’s own job approval rating stood at 36 percent approval, with 58 percent disapprove – perilous numbers for an incumbent whose party is already facing headwinds in maintaining its narrow House majority.

A year ago, 36 percent said the middle class didn’t benefit from Biden’s policies ‘at all,’ now that number has jumped to 54 percent. 

Just 7 percent of survey respondents said the middle class has been helped ‘a lot’ by Biden’s policies, while 34 percent say the middle class has been helped a little. 

Additionally, 52 percent said that poor families have not benefited from Biden’s presidency. 

She also addressed the latest administration staff departure, with Communications Director Kate Beddingfield planning to leave her post.

‘I’ve known Kate since 2007. She’s a friend and she’s a colleague, she’s exceptionally talented, and she will be greatly missed,’ said Jean-Pierre.

‘Now you’re asking me basically you’re asking me, her leaving and what does that mean to administration? Look, I don’t think her leaving will have effect on what we’re trying to do,’ she said.

‘Because look, she leaves behind a talented team and Communications Department and the President will name a new communications director. These things. happen.’