Rising Costs Weigh on Trump’s Popularity

Crowd at political rally with many American and campaign flags — Photo: mikeledray / Shutterstock

New national polls show President Trump’s approval hitting record lows as voters blame him for high prices and a shaky economy.

Story Snapshot

National approval has fallen into the low 30s, driven by anger over costs and inflation.
Large shares of Republican voters express dissatisfaction with the cost of living under Trump.
A majority now labels the administration more corrupt than past ones, adding to fatigue with Washington.
Immigration remains Trump’s best issue but has softened as other worries mount.

Polling Shows Sharp Drop In Approval, With Economy At The Center

Recent polls from major outlets report President Trump’s approval in the low 30s as midterms near. A CNN survey placed approval at 32 percent, calling it a record low in that poll. An NBC News survey showed 34 percent approval and 66 percent disapproval. Both found voters most upset about the economy and prices. These results fit a familiar pattern. Voters often judge leaders on current economic pain, especially when costs stay high month after month.

An Associated Press and NORC survey found widespread frustration with the cost of living. Nearly four in five registered voters disapproved of Trump’s handling of living costs. About three in four disapproved of his overall economic performance. Even among Republicans, fewer than half approved of how he handled costs. These readings explain why approval slid. People feel squeezed on groceries, rent, insurance, and gas. They also expect Washington to ease that pain and feel it has not.

Key Groups Show Erosion, Including Past Trump-Leaning Voters

Polling points to declines among groups that boosted Trump in 2024. The CNN poll reported that about two thirds of White adults without college degrees disapproved of his handling of inflation and the economy. Only about one quarter approved on those measures. About one third of Republicans said Trump’s policies made economic conditions worse. These are not small shifts. When a core group signals strain, it suggests fatigue with the status quo, not just partisan noise.

Some analysts also flagged a different sign of movement. One analysis reported that a small share of people who appeared to have voted for Trump in 2024 now claim they voted for Vice President Harris. About 3 percent shifted their reported vote in that direction, while most still said they voted for Trump. Response shifts can reflect memory or pressure, but they also track with falling approval. Together, they signal real discomfort with current conditions.

Corruption Concerns And Foreign Policy Add To The Weight

Public concerns extend beyond prices. The NBC survey found that a majority of adults viewed the administration as more corrupt than past ones. Only about a quarter viewed it as less corrupt, and the rest saw it as about the same. That result adds a second weight on approval. When people think leaders are both failing on costs and cutting corners, patience runs thin. In this climate, many on the left and right say elites look out for themselves first.

Foreign policy pressures also loom. An Associated Press and NORC poll found that about two thirds of voters listed the war in Iran as a top issue. Many said Trump was falling short at home and abroad. Wars raise fear and cost. They can overshadow wins at home. They also fuel the sense that Washington is out of touch and reactive. That sentiment is shared across older conservatives and liberals who see a government that misses basic needs.

Immigration Still A Relative Strength, But Less Of A Shield

Immigration remains Trump’s strongest issue, yet support has softened. The NBC poll showed 43 percent approval on border security and immigration. A separate polling average cited in coverage showed net negative ratings on immigration, with more disapprove than approve. This gap matters. A relative edge on one issue cannot offset weak grades on the economy and corruption. Voters tend to punish leaders when their wallets feel lighter for too long.

Political science research helps explain this moment. People judge leaders by current conditions more than by promises. As time passes, voters credit or blame the sitting president for the economy they feel today, not the one they inherited yesterday. That is classic retrospective voting. It does not predict final vote choices. But it does explain why approval can fall fast when prices stay high and leaders seem focused on their own power instead of public needs.