Trump’s approval slips to 39% as economic anxiety grows

Donald Trump’s approval rating has dipped to 39 percent, according to a new Reuters/Ipsos poll, as concerns about the economy and the cost of living increasingly weigh on public opinion — including among his own supporters.

The poll, released on Tuesday, shows Trump’s approval down two points from 41 percent earlier this month. The slide appears to be driven in part by rising unease over economic conditions, with dissatisfaction growing even within the Republican Party.

Just 33 percent of respondents approved of Trump’s handling of the economy, the lowest level recorded since he returned to the White House for a second term in January. Affordability issues are emerging as a clear political vulnerability for an administration that campaigned heavily in 2024 on promises to tame inflation and ease cost-of-living pressures.

Other surveys point in the same direction. A recent Politico poll found widespread anxiety over everyday expenses such as healthcare, groceries and housing, with 55 percent of respondents saying Trump’s policies bear at least some responsibility for rising food prices.

The Reuters/Ipsos poll also showed Trump’s approval on cost-of-living issues falling to 27 percent, down from 31 percent earlier in December. Among Republicans, approval of his handling of the economy dropped notably, from 78 percent to 72 percent.

Trump has repeatedly rejected claims that Americans are struggling with higher prices. He has dismissed affordability concerns as a “hoax” pushed by hostile media and Democrats, insisting instead that the US economy is entering a “golden age”.

In remarks last week, Trump said he was “crushing” inflation and that “prices are coming down tremendously.”

Some Democrats have been quick to note the irony, drawing parallels with Trump’s predecessor Joe Biden, who faced sustained criticism for downplaying public frustration over inflation during his 2021–2025 presidency.

Despite the recent dip, Trump’s overall approval has remained relatively stable in recent months, fluctuating between the high 30s and low 40s. His rating peaked at 47 percent when he first returned to office, suggesting that while support has softened, it has not yet collapsed, even as economic unease continues to build.