By: Jordan Meadows
Staff Writer
As Donald Trump nears the six-month mark of his second term in office, his approval ratings are showing signs of stress. After a brief rebound earlier in the spring, the president’s numbers are again underwater.
After hitting a post-Liberation Day low in April, Trump’s net approval rebounded slightly in early June, improving from -9.7 to -3.6. But that momentum has faded.
According to the latest polling, 45.3 percent of Americans approve of the job Trump is doing. In comparison, 51.7 percent disapprove, resulting in a net approval rating of -6.2.
To be sure, this is still better than where Trump stood at the same point in his first term. On Day 159 of Term 1, his net approval stood at -14.5.
Trump had mostly enjoyed a majority of support on immigration. On June 10, his net approval on the issue was +4.0; now it stands at -3.7. Much of the decline appears to be traced back to the public backlash over the mistaken deportation of Kilmar Abrego Garcia. Protests against ICE and Trump’s use of the National Guard in Los Angeles have also driven negative headlines. A recent Quinnipiac poll shows support for mass deportations has fallen, with 55% of voters now favoring a pathway to legal status over deportation (36%).
Economic approval continues to be a sore spot. Though hitting all-time highs in the stock market for the first time since January, Trump's net approval on the economy has declined from -10.9 in mid-June to -13.4 today. Inflation and wage stagnation appear to be key concerns for voters. Approval of trade has deteriorated significantly, dropping from -7.7 to -14.7.
Trump’s worst numbers are on inflation, where his net approval now stands at -22.6. This figure reflects growing frustration with high prices for essentials such as food, fuel, and housing.
Perhaps the most consequential event of the last month was Trump’s decision to launch airstrikes on three Iranian nuclear facilities. While a ceasefire was quickly reached between Iran and Israel, the episode has had a measurable impact on Trump’s political standing.
Approval among Trump’s own 2024 voters has dropped from +80 to +69, according to YouGov/Economist polling. Overall Republican approval of the president also dipped, from 90% to 84% (Reuters/Ipsos).
Analysts suggest that the military action violated a core expectation among Trump’s MAGA base: that he would avoid foreign entanglements. Though some Republicans rallied around the president, others—such as Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene—voiced frustration, suggesting the move contradicted the "America First" message. Polling shows most Americans oppose U.S. airstrikes in Iran: just 29% supported them, with 46% opposed. The Washington Post found similar numbers, and 82% of Americans reported being “somewhat” or “very” concerned about a broader war.
Even among Republicans, support is conditional on political allegiance. A Washington Post/George Mason University poll shows GOP support for strikes increased dramatically—from 47% to 77%—after Trump gave the order. Independents shifted 10 points toward supporting the strikes, while Democrats’ views remained unchanged.
Trump’s challenges on immigration illustrate the volatility of public opinion when a narrative shifts. The deportation of Kilmar Abrego Garcia personalized the immigration debate and triggered a 15-point drop in Trump’s immigration approval over three months.
While Trump’s approval numbers remain stronger than they were during the same period in his first term, recent trends show vulnerability. He is losing ground not only among independents but also among segments of his own base—especially those who prioritized non-interventionism and economic pragmatism in 2024.
In terms of Trump’s domestic legislation agenda, public opinion of the "One Big Beautiful Bill Act" (BBB), recently passed by House Republicans and currently under consideration in the U.S. Senate, is broadly negative among Americans. A strong majority of adults (64%) view the legislation unfavorably, including the overwhelming majority of Democrats and independents.
Notably, non-MAGA Republicans break from the party line, with two-thirds opposing the bill. Support among Republicans drops significantly—by over 20 percentage points—when they learn the bill would result in higher uninsured rates and cuts to funding for local hospitals.
Key provisions of the bill, particularly those targeting health programs like Medicaid and the Affordable Care Act (ACA), appear to be influencing public sentiment. Favorability ratings for both programs have reached record highs; two-thirds of the public now view the ACA positively.
Despite widespread understanding of the bill's potential cuts to healthcare, confusion remains about its broader implications. Just over half of Americans recognize that the bill would increase border security funding (58%), contribute to the federal deficit (50%), and reduce spending on food assistance (53%), Medicaid (51%), and the ACA (48%). These mixed levels of awareness suggest that while health-related consequences are starting to resonate with the public, a full understanding of the bill’s economic and social impacts is still developing.
