2 weeks Ago
United States President Donald Trump's approval rating on the economy has dropped to the lowest point of his presidential career, with growing dissatisfaction across party lines. According to the CNBC All-America Economic Survey , conducted between April 9 and 13, Trump's economic management rating was found at 43%, as compared to 55% disapproval. This marks the first time he has received a net negative score on the economy during his presidency.
Around 1,000 Americans were polled nationwide, reported CNBC , with the polls carrying a margin of error of 3.1%. Overall, 44% of the respondents approve of Trump's performance and 51% disapprove, which is similar to CNBC's poll at the end of his first term in 2020.
However, the decline in economic confidence is more pronounced as the optimism that followed Trump's re-election has largely dissipated, replaced by heightened concerns over inflation, tariffs, and broader economic direction. Read more: Insurrection Act that empowers President Trump to deploy armed forces, all you need to know "Donald Trump was reelected specifically to improve the economy, and so far, people are not liking what they’re seeing," said Jay Campbell, Partner at Hart Associates, the Democratic firm involved in the survey. Shift in sentiments among voters The survey highlights a significant downturn among independents, with a 23-point drop in net economic approval compared to Trump's first term.
Democrats are now 30 points more negative on economic matters, registering a net -90 rating. Although Trump retains support from his Republican base, even blue-collar workers, who were instrumental to his electoral success, have shown a 14-point rise in disapproval. Nearly half, 49%, of the public now believes the economy will worsen over the next year, the most pessimistic outlook since 2023.
While 76% of Republicans expert improvement, 83% of Democrats and 54% of independents foresee a downturn. Read more: Anti-Trump protests on April 19: All about 50501 Movement, activist network mobilising support "The data..
. suggests more than ever that it’s the negative partisan reaction that’s driving and sustaining discontent and trepidation about what comes next," said Micah Roberts, Managing Partner of Public Opinion Strategies, and the Republican pollster for the study. Tariffs and inflation core drivers of disapproval The survey found that 49% of Americans oppose broad tariffs, while only 35% support them.
Democrats oppose them by an 83-point margin, independents by 26 points, and even among Republicans, support (59%) falls short of average approval of 79% for Trump. Inflation appears to be a major source of concern, with 60% disapproving of Trump's handling of the issue. Only 37% express approval, including just 58% of Republicans, which is their lowest positive response across all issues surveyed.
Public confidence in government spending and foreign policy is also low, with disapproval ratings of 51% and 53%, respectively. Immigration policy receives support Despite economic challenges, immigration remains a relatively strong area for the president. 53% approve of his approach to the southern border, while 52% back deportations, as per the poll.
Read more: Indian, Chinese students sue Trump administration after visa cancellations A majority of independents support deportations, and 22% of Democrats endorse Trump's handling of border security, the highest cross-party approval he has received on any issue. Stock market sentiment turns sour Public perception of the stock market has also shifted sharply. CNBC reported that 53% of respondents believe it is a bad time to invest, while only 38% feel it is a good time.
This represents a complete reversal from December 2024 when the public showed record-high optimism following Trump's re-election. Despite these challenges, the survey indicates limited movement in congressional preferences. Some 48% support Democratic control of the Congress, in comparison to 46% favouring the Republicans, which is a margin that remains largely unchanged since March 2022.
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