President Donald Trump's public approval has declined to 38%, marking his lowest rating since returning to the White House, according to a recent Reuters/Ipsos survey. The poll reveals growing American discontent with Trump's approach to rising living expenses and the ongoing investigation into convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
Polling Details and Political Context
The four-day survey concluded on Monday, capturing a challenging period for the president as his influence within the Republican Party shows signs of erosion. Trump's overall approval dropped two percentage points since early November, reflecting increasing public frustration.
The political landscape became more complicated when the Republican-controlled House of Representatives passed a measure on Tuesday compelling the release of Justice Department files related to Epstein. Trump had opposed this action for months, creating tension with even his staunch supporters. Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene, previously a close ally, became a vocal critic of the president's resistance to transparency in the case.
Trump ultimately reversed his position on Sunday as congressional lawmakers prepared to move forward without his support. The online poll surveyed 1,017 American adults nationwide and carries a margin of error of approximately three percentage points.
Declining Support Across Key Metrics
When Trump began his second term in January, 47% of Americans approved of his performance. The nine-point decline since then brings his popularity near the lowest levels experienced during his first administration and close to the weakest ratings of his Democratic predecessor, Joe Biden.
The survey reveals particular weakness in Trump's handling of economic concerns. Only 26% of Americans believe the president is effectively managing the cost of living, down from 29% earlier in November. This represents a significant vulnerability, with 65% of respondents—including one-third of Republicans—disapproving of his performance on this critical issue.
"It's all about prices," explained Republican strategist Doug Heye. "People are furious when they go out and spend money at the grocery store, and they can't believe what they are spending."
Epstein Investigation Weighs on Public Perception
The Reuters/Ipsos poll indicates substantial public skepticism regarding Trump's handling of the Epstein case. Just 20% of Americans approve of his approach to the matter, including only 44% of Republicans. Perhaps more tellingly, 70% of poll respondents believe the government is concealing information about Epstein's clients, including 87% of Democrats and 60% of Republicans.
Economic pressures continue to challenge the administration despite Trump's signature policy of increasing taxes on imported goods to support American manufacturing. Many economists contend this approach has contributed to higher consumer prices. The inflation rate has remained elevated by historical standards since Trump took office in January, with U.S. consumer prices increasing 3% through September.
In response to public frustration, Trump recently scaled back import taxes on essential items including coffee, beef, and bananas. The president's declining popularity could create vulnerabilities for Republicans in upcoming congressional elections, though the poll indicates voters still view the Republican Party as having a stronger economic approach than Democrats.
Mike Ongstad, an independent strategist and former Republican who hasn't supported Trump's presidential campaigns, observed: "What we're seeing is probably the biggest test of his presidency in terms of his grip on the Republican Party."
