Support for U.S. President Donald Trump has declined to near the lowest level of his current term, largely due to voter dissatisfaction with his handling of the economy, according to the latest Reuters/Ipsos poll.
The online survey, conducted over three days, sampled 1,016 adults across the United States and carries a margin of error of ±3 percentage points. The poll reveals that 39 per cent of Americans approve of Trump’s overall performance, down from 41 per cent at the start of December. Earlier, a mid-November survey had recorded 38 per cent approval.
When Trump assumed office in January of the previous year, his approval rating stood at 47 per cent, but it has gradually declined since then, with economic concerns cited as a primary factor.
The recent U.S. government shutdown disrupted the collection of economic data for the poll. Nevertheless, many economists argue that the tariffs imposed by the Trump administration on multiple countries have adversely affected the U.S. labour market, leading to a slowdown in hiring.
The survey indicates that only 33 per cent of Americans support the president’s management of the economy, making economic policy the least supported aspect of his presidency this year. Among Republican Party voters, Trump enjoys 85 per cent approval overall, consistent with prior polls. However, support for his economic policies among party members has dropped to 72 per cent, down from 78 per cent earlier this month.
Economic management was a key campaign promise for Trump, who pledged to restore U.S. prosperity following the high inflation experienced under the previous Democratic administration led by President Joe Biden. The Trump administration has now managed to reduce inflation to around 3 per cent, though experts suggest that a target of 2 per cent would be ideal for economic stability.
Public support for Trump’s initiatives to control the cost of living has also declined, with 27 per cent approving, compared to 31 per cent at the beginning of the month.
Key Poll Findings – Trump Approval Ratings
| Metric | Current Poll Result | Previous Measure |
|---|---|---|
| Overall approval rating (all adults) | 39% | 41% (early Dec), 38% (mid-Nov) |
| Economic management approval (all adults) | 33% | – |
| Republican voter overall support | 85% | 85% |
| Republican support for economic policies | 72% | 78% (early Dec) |
| Support for cost-of-living initiatives | 27% | 31% (early Dec) |
| Margin of error | ±3% | – |
| Sample size | 1,016 adults | – |