Trump’s Economy Approval Rating Plummets to Historic Low
UPDATE: In a shocking turn of events, former President Donald Trump’s approval rating on the economy has plunged to an all-time low of -22 points, according to a new YouGov/Economist poll released just hours ago. Only 35 percent of respondents approve of his economic performance, while a staggering 57 percent disapprove. This marks a significant drop from last week’s record of -17 points, highlighting escalating voter dissatisfaction.
The implications are critical as the economy looms large in the minds of voters ahead of the 2026 midterm elections. Trump’s economic policies, which he touted during his campaigns, are now facing intense scrutiny. Economists are warning that his trade strategies, particularly tariffs, could exacerbate inflation and drive prices higher for American consumers.
As inflation impacts daily life, the latest data shows consumer prices surged 2.9 percent in August compared to the previous year, marking the largest increase since January. This rise is partly due to tariffs that have added approximately 2.3 percent to consumer prices. Housing costs have also soared, with the income needed to buy a median-priced home now at an alarming $114,000, representing a 70 percent increase since 2019.
The jobs market is also faltering, with only 22,000 jobs added in August, following a loss of 13,000 jobs in June—the first decline since December 2020. The unemployment rate has risen to 4.3 percent, the highest since 2021, as businesses struggle with tariff-related disruptions.
Amid these economic challenges, Trump’s approval rating on inflation has also plummeted to -34 points, down from -30 points just last week. The percentage of Americans who view the economy as poor has surged from 28 percent to 39 percent over the last two months.
As political analysts assess the fallout, the latest Fox News/Beacon Research poll indicates that more voters—by a 22-point margin—believe the Trump administration has worsened the economy, with 52 percent saying it has declined compared to only 30 percent who think it has improved.
Trump has attempted to shift the blame to President Joe Biden, claiming that the economy “went to hell” under his predecessor. However, recent polling suggests this narrative is losing traction, with many Americans attributing rising inflation to Republican policies instead.
The overall approval rating for Trump has also taken a hit, with Newsweek reporting a net approval of -10 points. The YouGov/Economist poll further confirms this downward trend, revealing a current approval rating of 39 percent, down from 41 percent last week.
As the economic landscape deteriorates, analysts warn that Trump’s staggering approval ratings could have dire consequences for the Republican Party in the upcoming midterms. Peter Loge, director of George Washington University’s Project on Ethics in Political Communication, stated, “Economic news has been bad all year and is getting worse… that’s bad news for Republicans because they are in charge.”
In response to the growing concerns, former Labor Secretary Robert Reich tweeted, “Trump’s approval ratings are tanking. He hasn’t done squat to help the working class.” Meanwhile, Trump announced plans for a “Midterm Convention” to highlight Republican achievements since the 2024 Presidential Election, although details remain unconfirmed.
What’s Next: As the economic situation continues to evolve, political strategists predict that Trump’s high disapproval ratings could energize opposition turnout and complicate messaging for swing-district Republican candidates. With the midterms approaching, all eyes will be on how these economic factors influence voter sentiment in the coming months. Stay tuned for further updates as this story develops.
