Trump's Economic Approval Hits Low as Inflation Concerns Persist

A recent NPR/PBS News/Marist poll reveals declining public confidence in President Trump's economic management, with his disapproval rating reaching its highest point since he first entered office in 2017.

The survey, released Thursday, showed that only 36 percent of Americans approve of Trump's handling of the economy, while 59 percent disapprove. This represents a modest uptick from the 57 percent disapproval recorded the previous month and stands as the most negative assessment in any NPR/PBS News/Marist poll conducted during his presidency.

As the country approaches the midterm elections in approximately nine months, economic anxieties are mounting. More than half of poll respondents indicated that reducing prices should be the White House's top priority, a sentiment shared by nearly 60 percent of independent voters.

Despite Trump's campaign promises to address inflation during the 2024 race, progress has been limited. Inflation dipped modestly from 3 percent in January 2025 to 2.7 percent by December. However, food prices climbed from a 2.5 percent year-over-year increase in January to 3.1 percent by year's end.

The administration's extensive tariff policies have also drawn scrutiny. Research from the Kiel Institute for the World Economy suggests that American consumers absorbed approximately 96 percent of the costs generated by these trade levies last year.

Public skepticism about tariffs is evident in the polling data, with a majority of respondents—including more than 60 percent of independents—believing that tariffs have harmed the economy.

Employment figures have also shown some deterioration, with the unemployment rate rising from 4 percent in January 2025 to 4.4 percent in December, though it remains below the 5 percent threshold it's stayed under since September 2021.

In an effort to counter negative perceptions, Trump has embarked on visits to key states including Pennsylvania, Michigan, and Iowa over the past two months. During these appearances, he has promoted his policy agenda while criticizing his predecessor.

"Twelve months ago Joe Biden handed us a mess," Trump told an Iowa audience last month. "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 poll surveyed 1,462 U.S. adults between January 27-30 through phone, text, and online interviews, carrying a margin of error of 2.9 percentage points.