As the midterm elections approach, President Donald Trump is facing declining popularity, with recent polls showing his approval ratings at their lowest point yet. While Trump began his presidency with approval near 50 percent, that number has steadily fallen during his second administration. Current polling places Trump’s overall job approval at 36 percent, reflecting a drop of about 14 points since he took office. This rating measures how Americans feel about his performance as president, as well as his handling of key issues that once played to his strengths.
A major factor behind the decline appears to be Trump’s tariff policies, introduced in April as part of his economic agenda. While the administration framed the tariffs as a long-term strategy, many voters report feeling the impact through higher everyday costs. As a result, Trump’s approval on economic issues has also slipped to 36 percent, according to Gallup—mirroring levels seen during a similar stage of his first presidency in 2017.
Immigration, another central focus of Trump’s second term, has seen falling support as well. Following a year marked by controversial ICE raids and widely circulated images, only 36 percent of respondents believe he is handling immigration effectively. Disapproval is growing more pronounced overall. 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 already emerging. Democrats have flipped 25 state legislative seats this year and secured several high-profile victories, signaling potential momentum. If current trends continue, Democrats may be well positioned to make significant gains in the upcoming midterm elections.