Trump's Economic Approval Rating Hits All-Time Low at 43%

President Donald Trump's approval rating on economic issues has reached an all-time low during his presidency, according to a recent nationwide survey. The poll, which included 1,000 Americans, revealed that 44% approve of his overall job performance, while 51% disapprove. Specifically, Trump's economic approval rating stands at 43%, with 55% of respondents expressing disapproval. This marks the first time during his presidency that he has received a net negative evaluation on economic issues in any survey.

The decline in Trump's economic approval rating can be attributed to widespread dissatisfaction among the American public regarding his handling of tariffs, inflation, and government spending. This dissatisfaction has led to a significant drop in his economic support, which is now at its lowest level since he took office. The survey highlights that while Trump's base within the Republican Party remains steadfast in their support, Democrats and independent voters have become increasingly critical of his economic policies. The net approval rating among Democrats is -90, which is 30 percentage points lower than the average during his first term. Independent voters also show a more negative view, with a 23 percentage point decrease compared to the average of his first term.

The survey results indicate a shift in public sentiment, with a growing number of Americans now pessimistic about the future of the economy. The optimism that accompanied Trump's re-election bid has faded, and the proportion of Americans who believe the economy will worsen has reached its highest level since 2023. This pessimism extends to views on the stock market, which have also shown a notable decline in optimism. The survey was conducted between April 9 and April 13, with a margin of error of ±3.1%.

The survey also revealed that 49% of the public believes that the economy will worsen in the next year, the highest level of pessimism since 2023. This sentiment is particularly strong among Democrats, with 83% expressing concern, and among independents, with 54% sharing the same view. In contrast, 76% of Republicans believe the economy will improve. The survey also found that 57% of the public believes the country is either already in a recession or will soon be in one, up from 40% in March 2024. Additionally, 12% of respondents believe the recession has already begun.

Public dissatisfaction with Trump's handling of tariffs and inflation is a significant factor in the decline of his approval ratings. The survey found that 49% of Americans oppose tariffs, while 35% support them. Democrats and independents are strongly opposed to tariffs, with 83% and 26% respectively expressing disapproval. Republicans, however, remain supportive, with 59% in favor, although this is a 20 percentage point drop from Trump's 79% net approval rating on tariffs.

The survey also found that the public views key trading partners, such as Canada, Mexico, the European Union, and Japan, as economic opportunities rather than threats. This sentiment is shared by a majority of Republicans, indicating a divergence from Trump's stance on these trading partners. The public's dissatisfaction with Trump's handling of inflation is also evident, with 60% disapproving of his approach, compared to 37% who approve. Among Democrats and independents, disapproval is particularly high, while Republicans remain supportive, with a net approval rating of 58%.

Despite the decline in Trump's approval ratings, the survey did not indicate a significant shift in support for control of Congress. 48% of respondents support Democratic control, while 46% support Republican control, a figure that has remained largely unchanged since March 2022. The survey also found that Trump's highest approval ratings are on immigration issues, with 53% approving of his handling of the southern border and 52% approving of his deportation policies. However, these approval ratings remain relatively low, with only 22% of Democrats supporting his border policies and a slight majority of independents supporting his deportation policies.