Trump’s Job Approval Nears Term Low as Economic Concerns Mount

President Donald Trump's overall job approval rating has fallen to 39% according to the latest Reuters/Ipsos poll. This represents a decline from 41% recorded earlier in December and brings the figure perilously close to the 38% low observed in mid-November, which stands as the president's lowest approval mark during his current term to date.

The poll, conducted online over three days and concluding on Sunday with responses from 1,016 U.S. adults nationwide, reveals particular vulnerability in perceptions of economic leadership. Only 33% of respondents expressed approval of Trump's handling of the U.S. economy, establishing this as his poorest performance on the issue throughout the year and highlighting a key area of concern for voters.

While overall support from Republicans remains steadfast at 85%—unchanged from the prior month—there are signs of erosion within the party base regarding economic matters specifically. Approval among Republicans for Trump's economic policies has dropped significantly to 72%, marking the lowest level recorded this year and a decrease from 78% earlier in December, suggesting that even loyal supporters are increasingly questioning the administration's approach.

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President Trump returned to office in January with a solid 47% approval rating, largely propelled by promises to revitalise the economy and combat the high inflation experienced under the previous Democratic administration led by President Joe Biden. Despite these commitments, inflation has persisted at elevated levels near 3%, well above the 2% target deemed optimal by policymakers, contributing to ongoing public discontent and complicating efforts to demonstrate tangible progress.

Further underscoring these challenges, approval ratings for Trump's management of the cost of living have also deteriorated, falling to 27% from 31% earlier in the month. Economists have pointed to factors such as the president's tariff policies on imports and a recent government shutdown—which disrupted critical economic data collection—as potential contributors to slowed hiring and broader uncertainty. With a margin of error of three percentage points, the poll's findings illustrate the intensifying pressures on presidential popularity as economic issues continue to dominate the national discourse.

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