AP Poll: Trump Approval Drops Sharply on Economy, Immigration/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ A new AP-NORC poll shows President Trump’s approval ratings on the economy and immigration have dropped significantly since March. Economic approval stands at just 31%, his lowest in any AP-NORC poll. With midterms approaching, even some Republicans are expressing concern over inflation, tariffs, and government management.
Trump’s Economic Approval Plummets: Quick Looks
- Trump’s economic approval drops to 31%, lowest on record
- Support declines among Republicans, independents on key issues
- Immigration approval also falls from 49% to 38%
- Border security approval remains stronger at 50%
- Two-thirds of Americans still say the economy is poor
- Discontent grows despite strong partisan support among Republicans
- Democrats and independents critical of mass deportation policies
- Health care and federal management ratings remain weak for Trump
AP Poll: Trump Approval Drops Sharply on Economy, Immigration
Deep Look
President Donald Trump is seeing sharp declines in public approval across several major policy areas, with the economy and immigration leading the drop, according to a new AP-NORC poll released Wednesday. The numbers suggest potential vulnerabilities for both Trump and the Republican Party as the 2026 midterm elections draw near.
The poll finds only 31% of U.S. adults now approve of Trump’s handling of the economy — a sharp drop from 40% in March and the lowest economic approval rating Trump has received in any AP-NORC poll during either of his presidential terms. The decline spans beyond opposition voters, with even Republican supporters growing more skeptical about his economic leadership.
Similarly, approval for Trump’s handling of immigration has plummeted to 38%, down from 49% earlier this year. Crime, once considered a strength for Trump, has also seen a decline in public confidence, slipping from 53% to 43%.
The data illustrates how difficult it has been for Trump to convert policy headlines into sustained public support since his return to office. Despite some legislative wins and the end of a prolonged government shutdown, his approval metrics are slipping across key demographic and partisan lines.
Economy: Waning Confidence Among Republican Voters
The decline in Trump’s economic approval is especially notable among Republicans. In March, 78% of GOP voters supported his handling of the economy. That figure now stands at 69%, indicating growing unease within his base.
Larry Reynolds, a 74-year-old retiree from Ohio, said that while he supports Trump’s efforts to impose tariffs on U.S. trade partners, he’s concerned the policy has backfired. “It’s a vicious circle now where they aren’t really justifying the tariffs,” Reynolds said. He also acknowledged that inflation, triggered by the pandemic, may continue to plague the economy for the foreseeable future.
Such frustration reflects a broader trend: 68% of Americans continue to describe the economy as “poor,” a view that has remained unchanged since October and is similar to public sentiment during President Biden’s final year in office.
Though Trump’s overall job approval stands slightly higher at 36%, down from 42% in March, the data shows that approval for his specific policy areas — especially those he campaigned on — is eroding even among those who still broadly support him.
Immigration: Policy Missteps Create Fallout
Trump’s approval rating on immigration now sits at 38%, a steep fall from 49% in March. However, his approach to border security continues to resonate with a segment of the population. Half of U.S. adults (50%) say they approve of his border security efforts, compared to 55% in September.
This disparity reveals a key nuance: while voters are supportive of stronger borders, they are more skeptical of aggressive deportation tactics and mass raids.
Jim Rollins, an 82-year-old independent from Georgia, praised Trump’s border policies but took issue with the sweeping immigration enforcement actions. “Taking people out of kindergarten, or off planes during the holidays — it’s extreme,” said Rollins. He emphasized that many undocumented immigrants are not criminals but individuals who have lived in the country peacefully for years.
Polls consistently show that while Americans support border security measures, they are less enthusiastic about deporting longtime undocumented residents. A September AP-NORC poll found that while nearly half of Americans support increased security along the U.S.-Mexico border, only about 30% view mass deportations as a priority.
Shaniqwa Copeland, a 30-year-old home health aide from Florida, voiced frustration over heavy-handed immigration enforcement. “They’re grabbing anybody,” she said. “It’s crazy. They just pick people up.”
Health Care and Government Management: Lingering Weak Spots
Trump continues to struggle in areas that have long been challenges for his administration — namely, health care and the management of the federal government.
Only 30% of respondents approve of his handling of health care, a slight decline since November. The issue has resurfaced amid ongoing debates over extending Affordable Care Act subsidies, which are set to expire at the end of the month. The political standoff around this legislation was the primary cause of the recent government shutdown.
While some voters attribute these problems directly to Trump, others point to systemic issues. Copeland, the Florida health worker, said she’s not sure who to blame for the state of the health care system. “It’s hard to find a dentist now,” she said. “The ones who do take my insurance are booked out for months.”
These concerns underscore a deeper reality: even among voters who support Trump, dissatisfaction with the government’s performance on daily life issues is growing.
Republicans Still Back Trump — For Now
Despite these troubling numbers, Trump retains strong loyalty from his base. Republican voters remain more supportive of Trump than Democrats were of Biden at comparable points. During the summer of 2022, only about half of Democrats approved of Biden’s economic handling. That number climbed to roughly two-thirds shortly before Biden stepped away from the 2024 race.
Still, with the economy stubbornly stagnant and frustration building over government management, Trump’s team may find it challenging to keep that loyalty intact if conditions worsen.
With the 2026 midterms approaching, these poll numbers could carry consequences for down-ballot Republican candidates who may face backlash from voters dissatisfied with the party’s economic direction.
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