Nicolai Haugsted
The president can be pleased with the latest numbers.
Pressure on household budgets has defined much of Donald Trump’s second term. Fresh polling now suggests some Americans may be growing slightly less negative about the president’s handling of the economy, even as broader concerns over inflation remain firmly in place.
A new Reuters/Ipsos survey shows Trump’s overall approval rating edging up to 36%, marking a modest improvement after months of declining support.
While the increase is small, it coincides with a period in which fuel prices have begun to ease following diplomatic developments involving Iran.
Signs of Improvement on Economic Perceptions
Public attitudes toward the cost of living appear to be showing the first signs of movement in Trump’s favor.
According to the poll, 24% of Americans now approve of the president’s handling of living costs. That figure stood at 22% a week earlier and 20% a month ago.
Disapproval on the issue remains overwhelming but has declined somewhat. Nearly seven in ten respondents still expressed dissatisfaction with Trump’s management of everyday expenses, though that figure is lower than it was earlier this spring.
Markets reacted positively after Washington and Tehran announced plans to pursue a deal aimed at ending hostilities between the two countries. Expectations that energy supplies could stabilize have helped push gasoline prices lower in recent weeks.
Fuel costs, however, remain substantially higher than they were before military action involving Iran began in late February.
Political Challenges Remain
Despite the slight uptick, Trump’s standing remains close to the weakest levels of his political career.
Support has softened among several groups that have traditionally formed key parts of his coalition, including rural voters and evangelical Christians. Polling also suggests Americans continue to rate Trump’s handling of inflation less favorably than they rated former President Joe Biden on the same issue.
Trump returned to office in January 2025 with an approval rating of 47% after campaigning heavily on promises to bring inflation under control. Recent economic data indicates that objective has yet to be achieved.
Democrats Hold Narrow Edge
Early indicators for November’s congressional elections suggest Republicans could face a difficult political environment.
Among registered voters surveyed, 41% said they would support a Democratic candidate if elections were held today. Republicans trailed slightly at 38%.
Independent voters, often decisive in competitive races, showed an even larger preference for Democrats. Thirty-five percent favored Democratic candidates, compared with 22% who backed Republicans.
With inflation still weighing on household finances and control of Congress hanging in the balance, even a modest improvement in Trump’s numbers may not be enough to ease concerns among Republican strategists heading into the midterm campaign season.
