WASHINGTON (AP) — Recent polling shows a stark contrast in President Donald Trump’s public perception as he approaches his second term. Once bolstered by economic accomplishments, Trump now faces significant challenges, with Americans expressing dwindling faith in his economic leadership.
In previous years, economic prowess was a primary strength for Trump, paving his way to the White House. However, current polls indicate dwindling approval ratings for his economic management, particularly among independent voters. Instead, the latest survey reveals Trump's approval ratings are more favorable on issues surrounding border security and crime.
Polling data from the Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research shows that Trump's strongest attributes have shifted considerably. Most Americans now favor his approach to border security, with approval climbing significantly compared to his first term where only 40% of U.S. adults supported his border initiatives. Presently, approximately half of U.S. adults back his immigration policies, marking a contrasting trajectory as his first term ended with lower figures.
Despite this, Trump's approval rating for handling crime has seen a slight decrease from earlier in August, where he had a 53% approval rating, now tracking at 46%. Interestingly, independent voters show a higher appreciation for his crime policies than his overall job performance, with about 40% approving compared to a stark 25% in general.
Economic Concerns Emerge
While border security has emerged as a focal point of Trump's strengths, the economy poses a stark weakness. Current surveys indicate that only 37% of U.S. adults approve of Trump’s economic management. This is a decrease from 43% earlier in the month and represents a significant fall compared to his first term when around half praised his economic strategies.
The lack of confidence in Trump's economic policies is particularly evident among independents, where just 20% express support. Past tracking data indicates that as Trump entered his second term, only about 40% of Americans approved of his overall economic approach.
Challenges with Trade and Healthcare
Another area of weakness comes from the realm of trade negotiations and health care, where only 70% of Republicans express approval of Trump’s performance. This marks a notable dip as recent polling establishes no more than a third of U.S. adults show support in those areas. Additionally, many Americans express concern that Trump has “gone too far” with new tariffs, signaling discontent about his economic actions even among his base.
Foreign Policy: A Steady Ground
In matters concerning foreign policy, Trump sees relative consistency in approval ratings, though recent data indicates a slight decline in his handling of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Approval amongst Republicans dropped from 82% to 72% since March, yet remains favorable overall.
The AP-NORC poll surveyed 1,183 adults between September 11-15, 2023, representing a comprehensive snapshot of how sentiments about Trump's leadership have evolved during his second term.
