Public Confidence in Trump's Economic Stewardship Weakens, New Poll Shows

President Trump is facing mounting skepticism about his economic leadership, according to new polling data that shows his disapproval rating on the economy has reached an unprecedented level for his time in office.

Thursday's release of the NPR/PBS News/Marist poll found that 59 percent of Americans disapprove of the president's economic management, compared to just 36 percent who approve. The disapproval figure marks an increase from 57 percent the month before and represents the highest negative rating Trump has received on this issue since assuming office in January 2017.

With midterm elections roughly nine months away, economic concerns are dominating public discourse. Over half of those surveyed said the administration should make lowering prices its chief objective, with independents expressing particularly strong support for this priority at nearly 60 percent.

Inflation—a central issue in Trump's 2024 campaign rhetoric—has shown only marginal improvement during his first year back in office. The overall inflation rate decreased from 3 percent in January 2025 to 2.7 percent by December. Food costs, however, have accelerated, rising from a 2.5 percent annual increase in January to 3.1 percent by December.

The president's comprehensive tariff program has emerged as a significant concern. Analysis by the Kiel Institute for the World Economy found that American consumers shouldered roughly 96 percent of the additional costs created by these trade measures throughout the previous year.

Poll respondents expressed widespread doubt about the tariff strategy, with a majority—including over 60 percent of independents—saying these policies have damaged the economy.

Labor market conditions have also softened somewhat. Unemployment climbed from 4 percent in January 2025 to 4.4 percent in December, though it continues to remain below 5 percent, a level it has stayed under since September 2021.

Trump has responded to economic criticism with campaign-style appearances in battleground states such as Pennsylvania, Michigan, and Iowa over recent weeks, where he has defended his record and attacked former President Biden.

Speaking in Iowa last month, Trump declared: "Twelve months ago Joe Biden handed us a mess. But today, just after one year of President Trump, our economy is booming, incomes are rising, investment is soaring, inflation has been defeated, our border is closed."

The survey included 1,462 American adults contacted via phone, text, and online between January 27-30, with a margin of error of plus or minus 2.9 percentage points.