Trump's Approval Drops as Voters Criticize Economy

President Donald Trump’s approval rating fell to 39 percent in mid-December 2025, nearing the lowest point of his current term, as a new Reuters/Ipsos poll found growing voter frustration over his handling of the U.S. economy.

The survey results—based on nationwide responses collected in the days preceding December 16—reflect mounting discontent, including among some Republicans, over persistently high inflation and the impact of Trump’s economic policies, including tariffs.

It is the latest in a series of polls that signal dissatisfaction by a majority of the American public with the current state of the U.S. economy.

“Putting an end to Joe Biden’s inflation and affordability crisis has been a Day One priority for President Trump,” Kush Desai, White House spokesman, told DISCOVERTREND in an emailed statement Tuesday. “Much work remains, but President Trump and his Administration will continue to do what’s necessary to turn Joe Biden’s economic disaster around and restore the historic economy Americans enjoyed during the first Trump term.”

The Context

The decline in President Trump’s approval rating highlights rising economic anxiety and signals potential political vulnerability as Americans express disappointment with the administration’s performance on key issues, particularly inflation and the overall economy.

The 39 percent overall job approval marks a fall from the 47 percent rating Trump held upon returning to office in January 2025, and sits within a point of his lowest rating of the year.

The fallout is especially pronounced on economic metrics: only 33 percent now approve of Trump’s handling of the U.S. economy, the lowest since his second term began, and support from within his own party on this issue has declined from 78 percent to 72 percent over the month of December.

Discontent with economic management carries significant implications for upcoming congressional races and the administration’s legislative agenda.

Given that Trump campaigned, suggesting he would address inflation “once and for all” after former President Joe Biden’s tenure, the continued pressure on living costs remains a focal point for both voters and political adversaries.

What To Know

The Reuters/Ipsos poll, conducted December 13-15, 2025, showed a two-point decline in Trump’s job approval since earlier in December, bringing his rating down to 39 percent among U.S. adults.

The 38 percent mark from mid-November remains his lowest of the year. Trump re-entered office in January with a 47 percent rating, underscoring a persistent downward trend over the course of the year as economic challenges mounted.

Persistent inflation, hovering around 3 percent and exceeding the Federal Reserve’s 2 percent target, remained a top concern among voters, according to the poll.

Trump’s approval on the cost of living also dropped, with only 27 percent of respondents expressing satisfaction—down from 31 percent earlier that month.

The administration’s trade policies, especially tariffs on imports, were pointed to by many economists as factors contributing to employers pulling back on hiring.

A recent government shutdown further disrupted economic data collection, compounding overall uncertainty.

The Reuters/Ipsos poll was conducted online with 1,016 nationwide respondents and a margin of error of approximately 3 percentage points.

Trends were corroborated by other large-scale surveys, including those from The Economist/YouGov and poll aggregators cited in The Economist and The Conversation.

What People Are Saying

Kush Desai, White House spokesman, told DISCOVERTREND in an emailed statement Tuesday:

“Putting an end to Joe Biden’s inflation and affordability crisis has been a Day One priority for President Trump. Every Trump administration official has been playing their part over the past year to deliver on this priority, from slashing costly regulations to securing historic drug pricing deals – efforts that have cooled inflation and raised real wages. Much work remains, but President Trump and his Administration will continue to do what’s necessary to turn Joe Biden’s economic disaster around and restore the historic economy Americans enjoyed during the first Trump term.”

Trump said in a Truth Social post:

“When will I get credit for having created, with No Inflation, perhaps the Greatest Economy in the History of our Country?…When will Polls reflect the Greatness of America at this point in time, and how bad it was just one year ago?”

Democratic National Committee Rapid Response Director Kendall Witmer said in a statement to DISCOVERTREND:

“Donald Trump’s train wreck of an economy is catching up to him, and it’s no wonder voters are pissed. Trump promised to ‘lower costs on Day One,’ but prices are soaring, and good-paying jobs are out of reach for everyday Americans. Trump’s plan of action so far has been to call affordability a ‘hoax’ and tell Americans not to ‘be dramatic.’ Meanwhile, working families are skipping meals, forgoing critical medical care, and depleting their savings as Trump doubles down on his disastrous economic policies. While Trump twiddles his thumbs, Democrats are working tirelessly to bring down prices and lower the cost-of-living.”

What Happens Next

President Trump’s approval numbers will likely remain closely tied to perceptions of economic performance as Congress resumes work in January and campaigns for the 2026 midterm elections intensify.

Polls suggest that continued inflation or a downturn in hiring could further challenge the administration’s standing. Republican candidates in competitive districts may face increased pressure if negative trends persist.

The next round of nationwide polls and scheduled economic data releases in early 2026 are expected to play a significant role in shaping both political strategy and voter sentiment.

Update 12/16/25 7:39 p.m. ET: This story has been updated with a statement from the White House.

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