AP-NORC Poll Shows GOP Split Over Trump’s Economic Record/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ A new AP-NORC poll shows many Republicans are disappointed with President Trump’s economic performance in his second term. Support for his handling of inflation, jobs, and healthcare has dropped compared to his first term. However, GOP voters largely approve of his immigration stance and still back his leadership overall.
Trump’s Second Term Quick Looks
- Only 16% of Republicans say Trump has significantly helped with cost of living
- Majority of GOP voters still support Trump’s immigration actions
- Approval on job creation and healthcare costs drops sharply from first term
- Trump’s base still rates his performance highly overall
- Federal healthcare subsidies have expired, raising out-of-pocket costs
- Many Republicans feel national progress hasn’t translated to personal gains
- Immigration tactics spark some GOP concern but maintain general support
- Trump’s approval among all U.S. adults remains at just 38% on immigration
Deep Look: AP-NORC Poll Shows GOP Split Over Trump’s Economic Record
As President Donald Trump nears the one-year mark in his second term, a new national poll reveals growing dissatisfaction among his supporters—especially on economic issues that once defined his appeal.
The AP-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research released data from a January 2026 survey that shows a clear decline in Republican confidence in Trump’s ability to ease the cost of living, create jobs, and control healthcare expenses. While the Republican base still overwhelmingly approves of Trump overall, many say the tangible benefits of his leadership have yet to materialize.
Declining Confidence on the Economy
According to the poll, only 16% of Republicans believe Trump has done “a lot” to address the cost of living, a steep drop from 49% who gave him that credit during his first term in a similar 2024 poll. Although inflation has cooled somewhat, prices on everyday goods remain elevated. For voters like John Candela, a 64-year-old resident of New Rochelle, New York, the costs remain stubbornly high.
“Still paying $5 for Oreos,” Candela quipped, adding that he remains cautiously optimistic things may change by the end of Trump’s term.
This sentiment is echoed across the poll. While 79% of Republicans said in 2024 that Trump helped ease the cost of living at least “a little,” only about 40% believe the same in 2026.
Job creation tells a similar story. Just over half of Republicans now say Trump has helped create jobs during his second term. That’s a major drop from the 85% who credited him with job growth during his first term, including 62% who said he helped “a lot.” The current number for that category is just 26%.
Healthcare costs are another source of discontent. In April 2024, 53% of Republicans felt Trump helped reduce healthcare expenses at least “a little.” Now, only a third agree. The expiration of federal healthcare subsidies at the start of 2026—affecting over 20 million Americans—has made medical bills significantly more burdensome.
Ryan James Hughes, a 28-year-old children’s pastor from Waxahachie, Texas, says his family’s financial picture hasn’t improved, especially on healthcare. Still, he’s not looking to Washington for solutions. “I’m not looking to the government to secure my financial future,” he said.
Immigration: A Relative Strength
Despite economic concerns, Trump retains strong support on immigration policy. About 80% of Republicans say he has helped “at least a little” with border security, matching the favorable ratings he received in his first term on the issue. Many Republicans say he’s struck a reasonable balance on deportations.
However, his approval rating on immigration among Republicans has slipped—from 88% in March 2025 to 76% in the January 2026 poll.
Some recent controversies have tested that support. The fatal shooting of Renee Good by a federal immigration agent in Minneapolis sparked concern even among those who back tough enforcement. Kevin Kellenbarger, a 69-year-old Trump voter from Ohio, supports strict immigration control but said the killing was troubling, even if he doesn’t place blame on Trump personally.
“I don’t like anybody getting killed, but it wasn’t Trump’s fault,” Kellenbarger said. He also criticized former President Joe Biden for his border policies, adding, “They have to be taken out.”
While some Republicans interviewed expressed concerns about overreach in enforcement tactics, most agreed Trump’s immigration policies are delivering results. Liz Gonzalez, a 40-year-old self-employed rancher from Texas, acknowledged the harshness of recent actions but believes agencies should be left to do their jobs without interference.
National Progress vs. Personal Struggles
Overall, two-thirds of Republicans say the country is better off under Trump than before he took office. But when asked about their own family’s situation, only about half agreed.
This disconnect underscores a growing sentiment: while many Republicans view Trump as a corrective force for the nation’s direction, they don’t yet feel those improvements in their daily lives.
Phyllis Gilpin, 62, from Booneville, Missouri, appreciates Trump’s attentiveness to public concerns but remains critical of his tone and temperament. “He is very arrogant,” she said. “I just wish we could all stop being Democrat or Republican — just come together.”
Despite personality concerns and lingering economic anxiety, Trump’s hold on the Republican Party remains strong. Roughly 80% of Republicans still approve of his job performance. Among all U.S. adults, however, his approval sits far lower, at around 40%, and only 38% approve of his immigration handling.
Poll Methodology
The AP-NORC survey was conducted January 8–11, 2026, with a sample of 1,203 adults from the AmeriSpeak Panel, designed to reflect the broader U.S. population. Among those surveyed were 404 Republicans. The poll has a margin of error of ±3.9 percentage points for the general population and ±6 points for Republican respondents.
As the second year of Trump’s second term begins, the poll offers a snapshot of mixed reactions. While his core supporters still trust his vision, the promised economic revival remains a work in progress.
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