Recent reports indicate a significant decline in consumer sentiment in the U.S., with worries about inflation reaching a seven-month low. As inflation expectations surge to 4.3%, many Americans, including a notable portion of Republicans, are increasingly anxious about higher prices this year, influenced in part by the looming tariffs proposed by former President Trump. Preliminary figures show that consumer confidence dropped sharply in February, with a notable decline reported in the University of Michigan Consumer Sentiment Index. This trend is raising alarms about potential impacts on consumer spending as fears about the economic outlook grow.