Why do you think Trump’s economic approval rating is at its lowest point in his presidential career?
The U.S. economy is a hot topic right now, and people are talking about how President Donald Trump is handling it.
Recent surveys show that many Americans are unhappy with his economic policies. What’s causing this shift in public opinion?
Let’s dive into the details.
A Sharp Drop in Economic Approval
A recent CNBC All-America Economic Survey, conducted from April 9 to 13, 2025, revealed that only 43% of Americans approve of Trump’s handling of the economy, while 55% disapprove.
This is the lowest economic approval rating of his presidential career. The survey, which included 1,000 people nationwide, marks the first time Trump has had a net negative rating on the economy while in office.
Other polls, like one from YouGov and Yahoo conducted from March 20 to 24, 2025, show an even lower approval rating of 39%, with 51% disapproving.
This drop is significant because Trump was re-elected in 2024 largely due to promises of improving the economy.
The main reasons for this decline seem to be dissatisfaction with Trump’s policies on tariffs, inflation, and government spending.
Many Americans feel these policies are not delivering the results they expected. For example, 49% of people in the CNBC survey believe the economy will get worse over the next year, the most pessimistic outlook since 2023.
Additionally, 57% think the U.S. is already in or will soon enter a recession, up from 40% in March 2024.
This growing concern is affecting Trump’s overall approval rating, which stands at 44%, with 51% disapproving, according to the same CNBC poll.
Tariffs and Inflation Fuel Public Discontent
What factors are contributing to the decline in Trump’s economic approval rating in 2025?
One major issue driving the negative sentiment is Trump’s use of tariffs. He has introduced new tariffs on imports, including a 10% baseline tariff on all goods and higher rates for countries like China.
However, 54% of Americans oppose these tariffs, according to a Reuters/Ipsos poll from February 2025, and 49% disapprove in the CNBC survey.
Many believe tariffs will increase prices, hurting consumers and the economy. For instance, 73% of respondents in a CBS News/YouGov poll from February 2025 said tariffs would make goods more expensive.
Inflation is another sore point, with 60% of Americans disapproving of Trump’s handling of it in the CNBC survey.
These concerns are particularly strong among independents and Democrats, who give Trump very low marks on economic management.
Interestingly, Trump’s base—Republicans and blue-collar workers—still supports him, but even they are showing signs of doubt.
Blue-collar workers’ disapproval of his economic policies has risen by 14 points compared to his first term, according to the CNBC survey.
Independents, a key voting group, are also turning away, with only 20% in a CNN/SRSS poll from March 2025 saying Trump’s policies have improved the economy.
This shift could have big implications for Trump’s political future, especially with midterm elections approaching in 2026.
Mixed Results on Other Issues
While Trump struggles with economic approval, he’s doing better on other fronts. Immigration is a strong point, with 53% approving of his handling of the southern border and 52% supporting his deportation policies, according to the CNBC survey.
Even 22% of Democrats back his border security efforts, which is rare cross-party support.
However, his overall approval rating remains polarized, with Republicans strongly behind him and Democrats and independents largely critical.
The stock market is another area of concern, with 53% of Americans saying it’s a bad time to invest, a sharp change from the optimism that followed Trump’s re-election in December 2024.
As Trump navigates his second term, the economy remains the top issue for voters. His ability to address inflation and restore confidence in his economic policies will be crucial.
For now, the public’s disappointment is clear, and it’s shaping how they view his leadership.
You might also want to read: Trump’s Tariffs and Tax Cuts: Will Americans Win or Lose?
