President Donald Trump’s approval ratings on economic management have reached a new low, with only 31% of adults in the United States expressing satisfaction in a recent AP-NORC poll. This marks a significant drop from 40% in March, highlighting a troubling trend as Trump’s party prepares for the upcoming 2026 midterm elections. The decline in approval reflects growing concerns over key issues that previously bolstered his support.
Public sentiment towards Trump’s handling of immigration has also diminished. Only 38% of respondents now approve of his immigration policies, down from 49% earlier this year. The poll indicates that Trump’s once-solid support on issues such as crime has eroded as well, with approval falling from 53% to 43%.
The survey underscores a broader decline in Trump’s political capital since his return to office. Even on border security, a topic on which he has historically maintained stronger approval, the numbers have slipped. Currently, 50% of U.S. adults approve of his actions regarding border security, a decrease from 55% in September.
Despite these challenges, Trump’s overall job approval rating has not seen a dramatic fall. Currently, 36% of Americans approve of his presidency, a slight decrease from 42% in March. This suggests that while dissatisfaction is growing on specific issues, many Americans may not yet be ready to label his presidency as a failure.
Republican support for Trump remains relatively strong, although it has waned in certain areas. Approval among Republicans for Trump’s economic management has dropped from 78% in March to 69% in the most recent poll. This shift reflects a growing unease within his party, particularly concerning economic policies like import duties, which some supporters feel have become excessive.
Larry Reynolds, a 74-year-old Republican from Wadsworth, Ohio, stated, “I believe in Trump’s plan to impose import duties on U.S. trading partners but think rates have spiraled too high.” He expressed concern that inflation, exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic, will hinder economic recovery.
Trump’s base remains more cohesive than that of his predecessor, President Joe Biden, who faced significant discontent among Democrats during his term. In the summer of 2022, only half of Democrats approved of Biden’s handling of the economy; this figure has since risen to about two-thirds as he approaches the 2024 presidential race.
Nevertheless, a large portion of the American public does not perceive significant improvement in the economic landscape since Trump took office. Approximately 68% of U.S. adults rate the economy as “poor,” a figure consistent with sentiments observed during Biden’s administration.
While Trump’s approval ratings on immigration have decreased, his relative strength in border security issues continues to resonate with some demographics. About 36% of independents approve of his policies on border security, though only 26% show approval for his overall immigration strategy.
Jim Rollins, an 82-year-old independent voter from Macon, Georgia, noted that while he appreciates Trump’s efforts on border security, he hopes the administration will reconsider its approach to mass deportations. “If they are criminals, sure. But the percentages say that they’re not criminals. They just didn’t register,” he explained.
Public opinion leans toward enhancing border security rather than pursuing deportation. In a separate AP-NORC poll from September, nearly 50% of Americans indicated that increasing security at the U.S.-Mexico border should be a high priority. In contrast, only about 30% supported the idea of deporting undocumented immigrants.
Shaniqwa Copeland, a 30-year-old independent from St. Augustine, Florida, expressed a nuanced view of Trump’s presidency. Although she approves of his overall performance, she believes his immigration actions have crossed a line, particularly regarding aggressive raids. “Now they’re just picking up anybody,” she said, highlighting the complexities of public sentiment around immigration enforcement.
In healthcare, Trump’s approval has seen a slight dip, with only 30% of U.S. adults expressing satisfaction with his management in this area. This drop comes as the administration and Congress grapple with extending subsidies for the Affordable Care Act, which are set to expire at the end of the month. The healthcare debate was also a contributing factor to a recent government shutdown, further complicating Trump’s standing.
Overall, 35% of Americans approve of Trump’s management of the federal government, a decrease from 43% in March. Some citizens, like Copeland, recognize systemic issues within the healthcare system but remain uncertain about assigning blame.
As Trump navigates these challenges, including preparing for the midterm elections, the evolving public opinion landscape may significantly influence his party’s strategy and his own political future. The shifting sentiments on core issues underscore the complexities of governance and public perception as the political landscape continues to evolve.
