President Trump’s approval rating has slipped slightly since the start of his second term, with growing voter concerns over the economy weighing him down, according to a new poll released Tuesday. The Emerson College Polling survey, conducted just past the 50-day mark of his second term, found that 47% of voters approve of Trump’s job performance, while 45% disapprove. This represents a dip from his earlier numbers of 49% approval and 41% disapproval.
Economic concerns appear to be the main driver of Trump’s declining approval, with 48% of voters disapproving of his handling of the economy, compared to just 37% who approve. While his support remains solid among his base, political analysts suggest that his real challenge will be convincing voters that their financial future is on the right track. Spencer Kimball, executive director of Emerson College Polling, noted that while opinions haven’t changed drastically since the election, “the initial honeymoon phase seems to be coming to an end.”
Trump receives his highest marks for his handling of immigration, where 48% of voters approve and 40% disapprove. However, his weakest areas remain the economy, health care, and cryptocurrency, where his approval ratings are significantly underwater.
The timing of this poll coincides with continued declines in the stock market, largely driven by Trump’s shifting stance on tariffs against Canada, Mexico, and China. Just this month, the Dow Jones plummeted 890 points in a single day after Trump declined to say whether a recession was likely. Investors and business leaders have expressed deep concerns over the unpredictable trade policies, with many pointing to tariffs as a major contributor to economic instability.
Trump has defended his trade policies, insisting that a “period of transition” is necessary to ensure fair treatment for American industries. However, with economic confidence slipping and market volatility rising, an important question emerges: Should Trump reverse course on tariffs to stabilize the economy?
Many economists argue that removing or reducing tariffs could help restore market confidence, ease inflationary pressures, and boost business investment. At the same time, Trump has built much of his economic agenda around being tough on trade, particularly with China and Mexico. Reversing tariffs could be seen as a political concession—one that might alienate his strongest supporters who favor protectionist policies.
As financial markets continue to react and voters grow more uneasy, Trump may soon have to decide whether to stick to his aggressive trade stance or adjust course to prevent further economic uncertainty. The next few months could prove critical in determining how voters perceive his economic leadership—and whether his approval ratings continue to slide.