President Donald Trump’s job approval rating has dropped to a new low for his second term, driven by mounting public anxiety over rising costs and the war with Iran, according to an NBC News Decision Desk Poll powered by SurveyMonkey. The survey reveals that 37% of adults approve of Trump’s performance as president, while 63% disapprove, with half of all respondents registering strong disapproval. The figures mark a significant political hurdle as the administration approaches midterm elections where congressional majorities hang in the balance.
Public sentiment regarding the direction of the country has similarly soured. Only one-third of Americans believe the United States is currently on the right track, contrasted with two-thirds who feel the nation is headed in the wrong direction. That split represents the most pessimistic national outlook recorded in Decision Desk polling since Trump retook office last year, underscoring the deep-seated frustrations voters harbor regarding domestic and international affairs.
While the president maintains steadfast backing from his core political base, fissures have begun to show according to the NBC News Decision Desk Poll. Republican approval slipped to 83%, a four-point drop from late January and early February polling. More notably, the share of Republicans who express strong approval for the president’s job performance fell six points, moving from 58% down to 52%.
Pocketbook Anxieties and Inflation Concerns
Economic pressures remain the primary driving force behind the low approval numbers. When asked to identify the most critical issue facing the country, 29% of respondents pointed to the economy, followed by 24% who cited threats to democracy, 12% who named health care, and 10% who pointed to crime and safety. Among economic concerns, inflation and the rising cost of living dominated, with 45% of Americans citing it as their chief worry.
Satisfaction with the administration’s economic management is low. Data from the NBC News Decision Desk Poll shows that just 32% of Americans approve of Trump’s handling of inflation and the cost of living, compared to 68% who disapprove. Within that group, 52% register strong disapproval, a seven-point increase from the last time the survey asked the question last summer. Republican backing on inflation also softened, with 73% expressing approval—a 10-point decline from prior surveys.
Personal financial assessments reflect this pessimism. Forty percent of Americans report that their personal financial situation is worse today than it was a year ago, while only 19% say their situation has improved. Furthermore, nearly two-thirds of respondents state that rising gas prices have created a problem for their households, with blue-collar workers and those with lower levels of education expressing the highest levels of concern.
Foreign Policy Pressures and the Iran Conflict
Beyond domestic economic struggles, foreign policy decisions have contributed to the administration’s declining numbers. Two-thirds of Americans disapprove of Trump’s handling of the war with Iran, with only one-third expressing approval. According to the NBC News Decision Desk Poll, public perception regarding the conflict remained virtually unchanged even after the president announced a temporary ceasefire on April 7 while the survey remained in the field.
The convergence of economic dissatisfaction and foreign policy entanglement stands in direct contrast to campaign pledges made during the 2024 presidential race, where Trump promised to tackle inflation and keep the United States out of foreign entanglements.
Outlook and Future Checkpoints
Republicans defending their congressional majorities face mounting pressure to address voter concerns over household expenses and foreign policy before voters head to the polls later this year.
We welcome your thoughts and analysis on these latest polling trends. Please leave a comment below or share this report to join the discussion.
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