By Emmanuel Bobby
One year into his second term, President Donald Trump’s political standing has weakened in public polling, as issues that once powered his return to the White House have increasingly become areas of vulnerability.
Trump remains one of the most polarizing figures in modern American politics — a dynamic that has energized his Republican base while limiting his broader appeal. Just months into his second term, his approval rating stood at 47% in a March survey, below the early benchmarks of several predecessors but matching his strongest showing from his first term. That support has since eroded.
Recent public polls place Trump’s approval rating around 40%, with results ranging from the high 30s to the mid-40s. That mirrors where he stood after the first year of his initial term and roughly matches President Joe Biden’s approval at a similar point, while trailing several other recent presidents at the one-year mark.
As Trump’s overall approval has declined, so has his standing on issues he once described as central to his electoral success. After his 2024 victory, Trump said he won “on the border” and “on groceries,” but public confidence in his handling of immigration enforcement and the economy has slipped during his first year back in office. Border security remains one of his stronger issues, but even there, support has softened.
Taken together, these trends suggest a challenging political environment for Republicans heading into the fall midterm elections, which typically serve as a referendum on the president’s party. Republicans are already trailing Democrats by several points in surveys asking which party voters want to control Congress, and the GOP’s traditional edge on the economy has narrowed significantly.
Economy
Public opinion on Trump’s economic stewardship has deteriorated, particularly regarding inflation, the cost of living and high prices. Those concerns have largely erased the advantage Republicans long held on economic issues.
Trump ended his first term with majority approval on the economy despite losing the 2020 election. During the 2024 campaign, he enjoyed double-digit advantages over then–Vice President Kamala Harris on economic issues and living costs. Early in his second term, his economic approval hovered in the mid-40s, but it has since fallen sharply.
Recent surveys show approval of Trump’s handling of the economy ranging from the mid-30s to low-40s, with even lower ratings on inflation. Voters have been particularly wary of Trump’s sweeping tariff policies, a signature initiative of his second term.
Polling late last year found about two-thirds of registered voters saying Trump had fallen short of expectations on inflation, cost of living, support for the middle class and the economy overall. Inflation and everyday expenses were identified as the single most important economic issue for Americans, far ahead of health care costs.
Trump has alternated between promoting new plans to address affordability and dismissing cost concerns as exaggerated by political opponents. He has also defended tariffs, claiming they have driven investment, strengthened partnerships and boosted foreign military sales. Still, most Americans oppose new tariffs and believe they have already raised prices — with many expecting further price increases next year.
These economic concerns pose a significant challenge for Republicans. Recent surveys show voters nearly evenly split on which party they trust more to handle the economy, marking the GOP’s smallest edge on the issue in years. Other polling gives Democrats a narrow advantage on managing rising everyday costs.
Immigration
Immigration and border enforcement were central to Trump’s campaign, but public approval of his approach has declined since he returned to office.
Early in his term, Trump often approached or exceeded majority approval on border security. While some polls still show narrow majority support for his border policies, approval drops when voters are asked more broadly about immigration.
Surveys conducted late last year placed Trump’s immigration approval in the mid-40s, with some polls showing even lower ratings in early January. Those declines followed heightened scrutiny of immigration enforcement, including a fatal shooting involving a federal immigration officer in Minneapolis.
There are still areas of relative strength. Polling shows Americans are more supportive of deporting immigrants who have committed crimes than of broad deportation efforts. Many also believe Trump’s policies have reduced illegal border crossings. However, majorities oppose deporting immigrants with U.S.-born children or those who have lived in the country for many years.
Recent polls found that more than half of adults believe Trump has gone too far on deportations. Other surveys show broad disapproval of how immigration enforcement is being carried out and concern that such actions may be making cities less safe.
Foreign Policy
Trump’s foreign policy decisions have generated some of the biggest headlines of his second term, but public approval has declined modestly.
His foreign policy approval now sits around 40%, down from the mid-40s earlier in his term. A majority of voters say his administration has fallen short of expectations abroad, and many believe his decisions have hurt America’s global standing.
Americans are divided over Trump’s actions involving Venezuela, including the capture of its leader and the use of force against suspected drug-trafficking operations. Polling shows broad disapproval of his handling of the broader situation there.
Public opinion is also mixed on Trump’s role in Israel-Hamas ceasefire negotiations, with surveys showing sharply different results depending on how the question is framed. Many Americans remain undecided about the long-term impact of U.S. involvement.
On the war in Ukraine, polling shows low approval of Trump’s approach, with most Americans favoring continued or increased military aid rather than reductions. Surveys also show widespread skepticism of Trump’s proposal to purchase Greenland, and strong opposition to using military force to do so.
Other Issues
Health care is emerging as a major potential issue in the midterms. Congressional inaction on extending insurance subsidies has led to premium increases for millions, while the White House has proposed shifting subsidies from insurers to consumers. Polling shows broad disapproval of Trump’s handling of health care, with many voters saying he should devote more attention to the issue.
Trump’s polling has remained buoyed by strong loyalty from his core supporters, particularly those aligned with the “Make America Great Again” movement. However, one notable exception has been his handling of records related to the investigation of the late financier Jeffrey Epstein. A large majority of Americans — including more than a quarter of MAGA supporters — disapprove of Trump’s approach to the issue.
Other surveys suggest broader unease with Trump’s agenda. Many voters believe he is using the presidency for personal gain beyond what other politicians do, and majorities say he has gone too far in areas such as executive power, cultural institutions, foreign influence and cuts to government programs.
Together, the data point to a president facing mounting political headwinds as his second term moves into its second year.
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