As the midterm elections approach, President Donald Trump is facing declining public support, with recent polls indicating his approval ratings have reached a new low. Trump began his second term with an approval near 50 percent, but current polling places his overall job approval at 36 percent—a drop of roughly 14 points since taking office. These numbers reflect Americans’ assessments of his performance across a range of key issues.
Economic policies, particularly tariffs introduced in April, appear to be a major factor in the decline. While the administration framed these tariffs as a long-term strategy, many voters report feeling the impact through higher everyday costs. Approval of Trump’s handling of the economy now stands at 36 percent, according to Gallup, mirroring levels seen during a similar stage of his first presidency in 2017.
Immigration policy, another central focus of Trump’s second term, has also seen declining support. Following a year marked by controversial ICE raids and widely circulated images, only 36 percent of respondents say he is handling immigration effectively. Overall disapproval is growing: a Quinnipiac University survey found that 54 percent of voters believe Trump has overstepped his presidential authority since returning to office.
Signs of political vulnerability are emerging. Democrats have flipped 25 state legislative seats this year and secured several high-profile victories, suggesting potential momentum. If current trends continue, they may be well positioned to make significant gains in the upcoming midterm elections.