Trump’s economic approval rating drops says CNBC survey
Americans’ views on the economy turned more negative in the third quarter as concerns about employment, inflation and the outlook deepened, according to the CNBC All-America Economic Survey.
These views, along with the shutdown charge aimed at the president and congressional Republicans, have sent President Donald Trump’s net approval rating on the economy down to 42% approve and 55% disapprove.
The -13 net approval rating for the economy was the lowest seen in the CNBC poll during either of Trump’s terms.
The president’s overall approval rating decreased from 46% to 44%, while his disapproval rating increased by 1 point to 52%. The results continued his second-term trend, with his economic approval remaining below his overall approval rating.
During his first term, the president’s economic numbers were routinely positive, well ahead of mainstream polls.
In a nationwide survey of 1,000 people, 53% of respondents, with a margin of error of +/- 3.1%, blamed Republicans and the president for the possible economic consequences of the shutdown in Congress, while the rate for Democrats was 37%.
But the survey also reveals increasingly negative attitudes about the president’s handling of critical economic issues.
Only 34 percent of the public approve of his inflation and cost of living policies, while 62 percent oppose them. These are the worst numbers in three CNBC polls conducted during the president’s second term; It’s an important finding for a president who has promised to lower prices. And 56 percent disapprove of tariff policies, 41 percent approve; Net approval was -15 compared to -6 in the second quarter poll.
“It’s clear that the cost of living for Americans in their own personal lives will be a far greater burden on their economic confidence than the lockdown,” said Micah Roberts, a partner at Public Opinion Strategies, the poll’s Republican pollster.
divided by party
The poll, with 40 percent of respondents surveyed as Republicans and 38 percent as Democrats, shows Trump has overwhelming support from his party and faces equal opposition from Democrats. The key to the results is that independents are largely negative about the president and his handling of important issues.
“A lot of the movement that’s happening right now is among independents, and that’s important because we know independents are extremely economically vulnerable,” said Jay Campbell, a partner at Hart Research, the poll’s Democratic pollster. “They are less sensitive on partisan issues and much more sensitive on fiscal and economic measures.”
The only positive thing among survey respondents is Trump’s handling of the southern border, which is +5. His stance on deportation has changed from a 49-49 split to a clear 46%-50% disapproval. There has been a slight improvement in the president’s views on how he handles foreign policy.
The survey was conducted October 8-12, shortly after an announcement. Israel-Hamas peace agreement. Still, the public views his handling of the conflict 41% to 50% unfavorably.
The president’s problems go beyond problems.
Views on the economy became even more negative; 27 percent said the economy was good or excellent, while 72 percent described it as only fair or poor; The recovery in the second quarter reversed after the president reversed his most extreme tariff threats.
Only 32 percent of the public think the economy will improve next year, reaching the lowest level since March 2024, while 46 percent believe it will get worse, unchanged from the previous survey.
Job concerns are on the rise
More than a quarter of Americans worry they may lose their job next year; That’s the highest level since 2022, when CNBC first asked the question. But in a sign of confidence, 58% feel secure enough to find a new job with similar pay and benefits if they lose their current position.
Young Americans, people of color, and women are among the groups least confident in their job opportunities. However, university graduates and salaried employees also state that uncertainty has increased compared to the average. Less than a third of working Americans believe their wages will increase next year; this is the lowest level since the pandemic. Three quarters predict that prices will rise.
Half of the public say prices are continuing to rise “faster than normal.”
A 56 percent majority, including many Democrats and independents and 45 percent of Republicans, say it is inappropriate for the government to take stakes in private companies.
But a 43 percent majority say Trump’s policies are “just about right” when it comes to business; 39 percent say they are too biased in favor of business, and 12 percent say they are too biased against business.
(See the full survey Here.)
