President Donald Trump’s net approval rating has dropped to a record low of -14 points during his second term, as reported by a recent poll.
The AP-NORC survey, carried out from March 20-24, indicates that 56 percent of participants disapproved of Trump’s presidency, while 42 percent expressed approval.
Conducted with 1,229 adults, the survey carries a margin of error of +/- four percentage points.
AP
Why It Matters
Trump’s approval rating serves as a significant measure of his political strength as he maneuvers through his second presidential term and gears up for upcoming policy conflicts.
Changes in his ratings could sway support from Republican legislators, impact his ability to advance his agenda, and influence the political climate leading into the midterm election season.
What To Know
The results also show that 58 percent of those surveyed disapproved of Trump’s economic management, with only 40 percent approving.
In addition, 60 percent disapproved of his approach to trade negotiations, while just 38 percent felt positively.
Responses varied along party lines: Republicans largely approved of Trump’s economic and trade management, while Democrats had strong disapproval.
These findings align with recent polls indicating a downward trend in Trump’s approval ratings concerning economic issues and tariffs.
A YouGov and Yahoo poll conducted from March 20-24 among 1,677 adults revealed Trump’s economic approval at a low of 39 percent, with 51 percent disapproving.
Moreover, most Americans believe the U.S. is either in a recession (26 percent) or moving toward one (26 percent).
Goldman Sachs recently increased its recession predictions for this year to 35 percent, up from 20 percent previously—marking Goldman’s highest recession probability since the regional banking crisis two years ago.
JP Morgan has also raised its recession likelihood estimate to 40 percent, citing declines in both business sentiment and consumer confidence in the U.S.
Trump has attributed inflation to his predecessor, former President Joe Biden, claiming that the country’s economic situation “went to hell” under Biden’s governance during a recent White House event.
However, a Morning Consult poll released on March 20 indicates that this narrative may not be resonating with voters as it once did.
The poll found that 46 percent of respondents blamed Trump for current economic conditions, compared to 41 percent who blamed Biden. This marks a shift from February, when 44 percent attributed economic issues to Biden’s policies while 39 percent did so to Trump.
What People Are Saying
President Trump stated in a congressional address in March: “We inherited from the last administration an economic catastrophe and an inflation nightmare.”
Thomas Gift, an associate professor of political science and director of the Centre on U.S. Politics at University College London, told Newsweek: “It’s slightly early to declare Trump’s honeymoon period over. However, it’s clear that the shine of his inauguration is beginning to fade. Trump assured Americans that prices would fall dramatically immediately after he assumed office. While many of his supporters are willing to wait for his economic strategies to take effect, others are starting to realize that Trump lacks a quick fix for the economy. Additionally, two of his signature policies—tariffs and mass deportations—are likely to be inflationary.”
What Happens Next
Trump’s approval ratings are expected to fluctuate in the weeks ahead, influenced by the outcomes of critical events such as essential negotiations regarding the Russia-Ukraine conflict, escalating tariff disputes with countries like Canada, and rising concerns about a potential recession.
