President Trump’s approval rating for the first quarter of his second term stands at 45 percent, according to a new Gallup survey a modest improvement over the same period in his first term, when he recorded 41 percent approval. While that number remains below the historical average of 60 percent for post-World War II presidents during their first quarters, it marks a notable uptick compared to his previous performance.
The new approval rating comes at a time when Americans are grappling with the economic consequences of Trump’s newly implemented tariff policies. Earlier this month, the president introduced a sweeping 10 percent baseline tariff on most imported goods, alongside steeper reciprocal tariffs targeting select nations. While the White House has temporarily paused many of the higher tariffs for 90 days, the freeze does not apply to China the United States’ largest trading partner which continues to face a 145 percent effective tariff on certain goods.
These moves have triggered volatility in global markets and raised concerns over potential price hikes for American consumers. Amid that uncertainty, the public response to Trump’s economic leadership appears mixed.
According to the same Gallup survey, less than half of U.S. adults say they trust the president to consistently make the right decisions for the economy. About 44 percent of respondents indicated they have little or no confidence in Trump’s economic judgment. Another 11 percent said they had “only a little” trust in his handling of economic matters.
Meanwhile, 14 percent of Americans expressed a “fair amount” of confidence in the president’s leadership, and 30 percent reported having a “great deal” of trust in Trump’s ability to manage the economy.
Despite these divided views, Republican voters remain largely optimistic about Trump’s agenda, with many believing the president’s trade policies will ultimately bring manufacturing jobs back to the U.S. and reduce dependence on foreign imports.
Still, the broader picture shows a nation deeply uncertain about the direction of the economy under Trump’s leadership. As tariff impacts begin to ripple through supply chains and inflation remains a concern, the administration is under growing pressure to prove its approach will yield long-term benefits and not simply short-term political gains.