Trump's approval drops as economic worries linger

Trump's Approval Rating: A Closer Look

President Donald Trump's approval rating has seen a slight decline in the latest Reuters/Ipsos survey, dropping to 39%. This marks a continued trend of dissatisfaction with his handling of the economy. However, it is worth noting that his average approval rating during his second term remains at 41%, matching the average from his first term.

Recent Trends in Approval Ratings

December 16

In the latest poll, Trump’s approval rating decreased from 41% to 39%, while his disapproval rating increased from 57% to 59%. The survey included 1,016 respondents and had a three-point margin of error. His approval of handling the economy slipped from 36% to 33%, with disapproval rising from 52% to 58%.

December 11

Trump's approval rating remained at 36%, consistent with the AP-NORC November poll. However, his rating on the economy dipped to 31%, marking a low point for both terms.

December 19

In another survey, Trump's approval rating increased to 41% from 38% in late November, with disapproval decreasing from 60% to 57%. This uptick coincided with an improvement in his performance on the cost of living, with 31% of respondents indicating they believe he is doing a better job, driven by a 10-point gain among Republican voters.

Trump has been actively trying to improve voters' views on his economic policies, launching an “affordability tour” in Pennsylvania. Despite this, his net approval rating remains low, with just 26% of respondents believing he is doing a good job managing the cost of living.

December 2

The Economist/YouGov weekly poll showed Trump with a 38% approval rating and 57% disapproval rating, marking the seventh straight week his net approval rating is -15 or lower. In contrast, Biden had a -9 net approval rating at this point in his term.

Key Issues and Concerns

Economic Handling

Trump's approval rating on the economy has seen a significant drop, with only 31% of respondents approving of his handling. This is a far cry from the 82% approval rate among Republicans in July. Additionally, his approval rating among white, college-educated men has dropped to 40% from 47% in June.

Political Support

Trump has also seen faltering numbers within his own party. Marquette University polling indicated that only 75% of Republicans approved of his handling of the economy in November, down from 82% in July. This suggests a growing divide between Trump and some of his core supporters.

Public Perception and Polling Data

November 19

In the latest NPR/PBS/Marist poll, Trump's approval rating declined to 39%, with disapproval increasing to 56%. The poll also highlighted a Democratic advantage heading into next year's midterms, with 55% of respondents saying they were more likely to vote for Democrats compared to 41% for Republicans.

November 18

Another survey found Trump's approval rating fell to 38%, a low point for his second term. The poll also revealed that 20% approve of his handling of the Jeffrey Epstein files, while 70% believe the government is hiding information about his client list and death.

November 13

Trump's approval rating was unchanged at 40%, but his disapproval rating increased to 58%. The poll, conducted after Republican losses in New Jersey, Virginia, and New York City, showed a larger share of Democrats were "very enthusiastic" about voting in the midterm elections.

Historical Context

Trump's overall average approval rating for his first and second terms (41%) is lower than all presidents dating back to Harry Truman, according to Gallup. Joe Biden has the next lowest average at 42%, followed by Truman at 45% and Jimmy Carter at 46%.

Key Background and Events

Trump has experienced several notable breaks with his MAGA base in recent months as he enters his lame duck era. Notable events include the House approving legislation requiring the Justice Department to release documents related to the Jeffrey Epstein investigation. Trump endorsed the bill despite initial resistance, as it became clear it had enough Republican support to pass.

Other major moments of Trump's second term include the federal government reopening after a record-long 43-day shutdown, a cease-fire deal in the Israel-Hamas war, and the approval of his signature policy legislation that includes tax cuts and border control measures. Despite these achievements, his approval rating has declined since the start of his term, with a notable plunge following his wide-ranging “Liberation Day” tariffs on U.S. trading partners.