Trump's Approval Rating Drops to Historic Low in Second Term
According to the most-trusted average of publicly available polls, fewer Americans approve of President Donald Trump's job performance now than at any prior point in his second term in office. Just 40% of Americans give him a thumbs up, while a whopping 56% express disappointment.
Polling Data Reveals Steady Decline
The numbers, sourced from Nate Silver's Silver Bulletin, are not dramatically worse than Trump's previous second-term low points. However, other public surveys released in recent days paint a similarly bleak picture for the president. His once-strong approval ratings on immigration have tumbled significantly since ICE surged into Chicago and Minnesota this winter.
Additionally, his handling of the economy and the cost of living has been steadily dropping since he returned to office. The spike in gas prices, attributed to Trump's decision to join Israel in attacking Iran, could potentially cause further deterioration in his ratings.
Economic Concerns Drive Voter Discontent
A Reuters/Ipsos poll released Tuesday found Trump's overall approval rating dropping to just 36%, with 62% of adults disapproving of his job performance. Specifically, his approval rating on the economy fell to new depths, with only 29% of voters approving—a lower rating than former President Joe Biden ever received in the same poll.
Approval of Trump's handling of the economy is now lower than at any time during the Biden administration, according to the newest Reuters/Ipsos poll. This adds up to a president in significant political trouble ahead of November's midterm elections.
Surveys Highlight Widespread Pessimism
A survey from The Argument released Monday found second-term Trump significantly less popular than either Biden or first-term Trump at this point in their terms, with economic worries driving voter discontent. Just 31% of registered voters believe their wages are keeping up with the cost of living, and only 25% think their personal financial situation is improving. Half of voters expect the economy to worsen over the next year.
Key States Show Record Lows
Things are not any better in key states. In Wisconsin, a prototypical swing state with a state Supreme Court race next month and a full-on battle for control of state government in November, a major survey found Trump's approval at record lows. The Marquette University Law School poll recorded Trump's approval at 42% in the Badger State, with 56% disapproval—the worst he has ever recorded there.
This widespread decline in approval ratings underscores the challenges Trump faces as he navigates economic instability, immigration controversies, and voter dissatisfaction in the lead-up to the midterm elections.
