Donald Trump‘s approval ratings have taken a notable hit, with a recent Reuters/Ipsos poll revealing that only 42% of Americans currently support his presidency. This figure is a stark decrease from the 47% approval rating he was receiving at or just before his inauguration. His overall confidence in handling economic issues has taken a nose dive. Since he retook the White House, it has collapsed to an all-time record low.
From then until today, Trump’s approval rating has dropped by seven points. His popularity in managing the economy is at just 37% according to this same survey. This is a steep decline from the 59% who were confident in his management of the economy last November. Though an alarming drop in support for the infrastructure bill, it starkly conveys increasing frustration among Americans with the administration’s economic direction.
The poll results highlight partisan divides. While only 11% of Democrats approve of Trump’s economic policies, a substantial 80% of Republicans express either ‘very’ or ‘somewhat’ confidence in his ability to make sound economic and tax policy decisions. It seems this sentiment is changing—even with the support of his own party—as the economic impacts continue to take their toll.
Public opinion shows widespread doubt regarding Trump’s tariff strategy on imported goods. In fact, a staggering 59% of Americans oppose these broad, preemptive measures. The pervasive perception of these tariffs as harmful is what’s dragging down his net economic approval ratings. Now, those ratings are worse than they’ve been at all during his first term.
Surprisingly, for Trump’s approval ratings stop much further than just economic worries. According to a recent CNBC survey, just 44 percent of Americans approve of his overall handling of the presidency. At the same time, a new Pew survey shows that 40% have a favorable impression of his leadership. Together, these figures paint a picture that, as popular as his presidency is right now, support is weak and dangerously volatile with most Americans supporting only under current conditions.
In the build-up to the 2024 presidential election, Trump doubled down framing his platform on bringing down inflation and restoring the American economy. As new polls have found, most Americans are quickly losing hope that he can deliver on these promises. The significant decline from his prior high approval ratings to his present low approval indicates just how difficult it’ll be for him to earn back the public trust again.