Trump’s Approval Rating Hits Lowest Point Since Return to Office

WASHINGTON, April 2 – President Donald Trump‘s approval rating has dropped to 43%, the lowest since he returned to office, according to a recent Reuters/Ipsos poll conducted from March 21 to March 27. This decline follows growing discontent among Americans regarding his tariff policies and the administration’s handling of sensitive military information.

The poll results indicate a 2 percentage point decrease from the previous survey conducted between March 21-23 and a 4 point drop from the 47% approval rating he enjoyed shortly after his inauguration on January 20. Trump’s first term saw him registered with a high of 49% approval shortly after taking office in January 2017, but he also faced a low of 33% in December 2017.

Trump’s predecessor, Democrat Joe Biden, recorded his lowest approval rating at 35% before the November 2022 presidential election. The latest figures illustrate an increasing frustration with Trump’s leadership, especially regarding economic management. Only 37% of respondents approved of his handling of the economy, while just 30% felt satisfied with his efforts to address the rising cost of living.

In the wake of Trump’s recent tariff proposals on automobiles and auto parts, approximately 52% of respondents expressed concern, stating that these measures would adversely impact people close to them. About half of those surveyed indicated that raising tariffs would overall do more harm than good. This sentiment crossed party lines, with a third of Republicans opposing the idea of tariffs being detrimental.

The president’s policies have alarmed investors, contributing to recent selloffs in the stock market due to fears of potential recession triggered by his tariffs. Further complicating matters, Trump’s administration has been criticized for mishandling military secrets. Following the leak of discussion over a military operation against militants in Yemen, 74% of participants in the poll deemed the administration’s approach reckless. This included 91% of Democrats and 55% of Republicans who voiced similar concerns.

Moreover, 70% of respondents believed Trump should take responsibility for the military discussion mishap, with only 34% approving of his foreign policy, a decrease from 37% in the earlier March poll.

The poll, which sampled 1,486 U.S. adults, has a margin of error of about 3 percentage points. This decline in approval ratings marks an ongoing challenge for Trump, as he navigates policies that are seemingly alienating constituents ahead of the next election cycle.