President Donald Trump’s approval rating for his handling of the economy has slipped to a new low of 31%, according to a recent survey conducted by SSRS. The data reflects a deepening pessimism among Americans regarding the issue they consistently rank as their top priority, with roughly two-thirds of respondents stating that the administration’s policies have worsened economic conditions in the United States.
The decline marks a significant shift from the start of the year. Economic approval has dropped 8 points overall since January, with a more pronounced 14-point erosion among Republicans. The survey indicates that 65% of Americans believe Trump’s policies have negatively impacted the economy, a figure that surpasses the highest negativity recorded for his predecessor, Joe Biden, at any point during his tenure.
While Trump’s overall job approval has remained relatively steady at 35%, the breakdown of the data reveals cracks within his own coalition. The share of Republicans who say they “strongly approve” of his performance has fallen to 43%, down from 52% in January. Among Republicans under the age of 45, that decline is even steeper, dropping 23 points.
A primary driver of this dissatisfaction appears to be the cost of living, specifically at the pump. The survey suggests that financial pressure from gas prices, which have averaged more than $4 per gallon nationwide following recent geopolitical tensions, has exacerbated household budget strains. According to the full polling data, 63% of respondents say higher fuel costs have caused at least some financial hardship, with 15% describing the impact as severe.
Despite the economic headwinds, consumer behavior shows a mix of adaptation and resignation. While fewer Americans report changing their grocery habits compared to a year ago, more than 60% admit to trimming budgets on extras. 45% say they have significantly cut back on driving, a 5-point increase over the past year. Most respondents view the price spikes as temporary fluctuations, though market analysts suggest that even if current conflicts resolve, lasting effects on oil prices remain likely.
The political fallout extends beyond the economy. The poll indicates that 67% of Americans sense the President has not paid enough attention to the country’s top problems. However, this dissatisfaction has not necessarily translated into gains for the opposition. A broader 74% of the public believes Democrats in Congress have the wrong priorities, with independents viewing both parties as equally off-topic.
Blame Assigned for DHS Shutdown
Beyond economic metrics, the survey addresses the ongoing partial shutdown of the Department of Homeland Security. The public appears to place more responsibility on the executive branch and congressional Republicans for the disruption. Approximately 39% of respondents say the GOP deserves the bulk of the blame, compared to 25% who fault Democrats in Congress, while 28% believe both groups share equal responsibility.
The shutdown’s most visible consequence has been long lines at airport security checkpoints, stemming from TSA agents working without pay until a recent executive action facilitated paycheck delivery. Despite the disruption, only one in five Americans considers the partial shutdown a crisis, a lower threshold than during the full government shutdown last fall. Public reaction to the administration’s response has been skeptical; 40% said the order to send Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents to airports made the situation worse, while only 21% felt it improved things.
Views on the President’s broader approach to governance also show signs of strain. About 60% of Americans say Trump has gone too far in attempting to expand U.S. Power over other countries and in using executive authority to cut federal programs. A slightly smaller majority, 55%, believe he has overstepped regarding the deportation of immigrants living in the U.S. Illegally.
Looking ahead, the stability of the administration’s standing may depend on whether economic conditions improve. Currently, roughly 6 in 10 Americans expect the economy to be in poor condition a year from now, the highest share to express such pessimism during either of Trump’s presidencies. As the next quarterly economic reports are released, analysts will be watching to see if these sentiment shifts solidify into a lasting trend or if they revert as market signals stabilize.
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