Donald Trump’s Approval Rating on Economy Plunges to Record Low in Poll

President Donald Trump’s approval rating regarding his handling of the economy has plunged to a record low, a new CNBC poll has found.

Why It Matters

The economy is very important to American voters, with a Gallup poll showing that they overwhelmingly cited economic pressures as the key reason they voted for Trump in the November 2024 presidential election. The president pledged to bring down inflation on the campaign trail.

But since embarking on his second presidency, confidence in Trump’s economic performance has fluctuated. A recent YouGov poll for CBS News found more people now disapprove of Trump’s handling of the nation’s finances than those who approve.

After introducing tariffs on trading partners around the world, then pausing many of the charges, markets plummeted then rebounded, and a series of polls suggested many Americans are feeling anxious about the duties and how they could impact the economy.

What To Know

According to a CNBC poll of 1,000 Americans, 43 percent approve of Trump’s handling of the economy and 55 percent disapprove, the first time a CNBC survey has shown the president with a net negative on the economy.

The poll was conducted between April 9 and April 13 and has a margin of error of +/- 3.1 percent.

It also found that 49 percent believe the economy will get worse over the next year, the most pessimistic overall result since 2023.

It follows an April CBS News poll conducted with YouGov, which found that more people disapprove of Trump’s handling of the economy than those who approve, with 44 percent favorable and 56 percent disapproving of his policies.

This poll revealed that a third (33 percent) said they expect the economy to be in recession next year. However, only 4 percent fewer (29 percent) said they think it will be booming or growing.

And 53 percent said the economy is getting worse, while 28 percent said it is getting better and 19 percent said it is staying about the same.

What People Are Saying

Jay Campbell, partner with Hart Associates, a Democratic pollster said: “Donald Trump was reelected specifically to improve the economy, and so far, people are not liking what they’re seeing.”

Thomas Gift, an associate professor of political science and director of the Centre on U.S. Politics at University College London, previously told Newsweek that Trump’s handling of the tariff situation has alienated many voters.

“Trump hasn’t earned himself many supporters with his handling of the tariff situation. It’s not only the policy that seems to irk voters, but also the apparent lack of strategy, the impulsive decision-making, and the inconsistent messaging from the White House.

“Trump has long built his brand on being a master dealmaker and a savvy businessman. However, the last several days have dealt a serious, huge blow to that image,” he said.

A defiant Donald Trump claimed a poll had shown he had the “best poll numbers, ever” in a post on Truth Social. “TRUMP’S BEST POLL NUMBERS, EVER. THANK YOU!” he wrote, though did not reveal the poll he was referring to.

What Happens Next

Public opinion about economic policies remains erratic, and sustained negative polling could impact the Republican Party’s performance in the midterms, which will take place in November 2026.