Year of Rapid Change, Except for Trump's Approval Numbers, Poll Shows

Trump’s Approval Ratings Remain Stable Amid Political and Economic Challenges

Eric Hildenbrand, a 76-year-old resident of San Diego, has observed that prices have continued to rise this year under President Donald Trump's administration. However, he does not hold the president personally responsible for these increases. Instead, Hildenbrand blames Governor Gavin Newsom and other Democratic leaders in California, arguing that the state's economic situation is unique compared to the rest of the country.

“I don’t know what’s going on in the rest of the country,” Hildenbrand said. “It seems like prices are dropping. Things are getting better, but I don’t necessarily see it here.”

Hildenbrand’s perspective reflects a broader sentiment among some voters who remain loyal to Trump despite his controversial policies and personality. His unwavering support helps explain why Trump’s polling numbers have remained relatively stable, even when they differ from those of previous presidents.

According to an Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research poll conducted in March, 42% of U.S. adults approved of Trump’s job performance. This is lower than the approval ratings of recent presidents at the start of their second terms, such as Barack Obama and George W. Bush. The most recent AP-NORC poll, released in July, showed a slight decline to 40% approval. While this drop is minimal, there are signs that Trump’s support may be softening, particularly regarding his handling of immigration.

Immigration Policies Spark Growing Concerns

The July poll revealed a decrease in public approval of Trump’s approach to immigration, which was a key strength during the 2024 election. Earlier in his term, Trump had higher approval ratings on this issue compared to his overall rating. In March, about half of U.S. adults approved of his handling of immigration, but by July, that number dropped to 43%, aligning with his overall approval rating.

Other polls also show increasing dissatisfaction with Trump’s immigration policies. A CNN/SSRS poll found that 55% of U.S. adults believe the president has gone too far in deporting undocumented immigrants—an increase of 10 percentage points since February.

Donovan Baldwin, an 18-year-old from Asheboro, North Carolina, expressed concerns about the aggressive nature of Trump’s approach. “I understand wanting to get rid of illegal immigrants, but the way that’s being done is very aggressive,” Baldwin said. “And that’s why people are protesting, because it comes off as aggression. It’s not right.”

Economic Policies Face Criticism

Ratings of Trump’s handling of the economy have been consistently negative in his second term, especially compared to the more positive assessments during his first term. The July poll found that few Americans believe Trump’s policies have benefited them so far.

Brian Nichols, a 58-year-old from Albuquerque, supports Trump overall but has concerns about his approach. He criticizes the president’s social media presence and on-again, off-again tariffs. Nichols also opposes efforts to eliminate federal agencies like the Education Department. Despite these concerns, he believes the president should be given space to do his job and trusts the Republican-led House and Senate to act as a check on his power.

“We put him into office for a reason, and we should be trusting that he’s doing the job for the best of America,” Nichols said.

Steady Public Opinion Amid Controversy

Trump has spent the last six months pushing policies that are often unpopular, including tariffs that have led to higher prices. The July poll found that most people believe his tax and spending bill will benefit the wealthy while offering little to the middle class or ordinary Americans.

Despite these challenges, Trump’s favorability ratings have remained largely unchanged over the years. His approval has fluctuated within a 10-percentage point range, even during periods of significant controversy, such as the handling of the COVID-19 pandemic, a felony conviction, and an attempted assassination.

For some supporters, the benefits of Trump’s presidency outweigh the drawbacks. Kim Schultz, a 62-year-old from Springhill, Florida, praised Trump’s aggressive stance on deporting undocumented immigrants. She is also willing to accept potential price increases due to tariffs.

“I’ve always had the opinion that if the tariffs are going to cost me a little bit more here and there, I don’t have a problem with that,” she said.

Diverse Perspectives Among Supporters

While some critics, like Hildenbrand, dislike Trump’s personality and tendency to insult foreign leaders, they still believe he is making progress. “More or less, to me, he’s showing that he’s on the right track,” Hildenbrand said. “I’m not in favor of Trump’s personality, but I am in favor of what he’s getting done.”

Overall, Trump’s approval ratings remain steady despite ongoing debates about his policies and leadership style. His supporters continue to back him, even as many Americans express concerns about his approach to governance.