Polls Reveal Sharp Decline in Trust (Image Credits: Media-cldnry.s-nbcnews.com)
Washington – President Donald Trump approaches his first formal State of the Union address of his second term with surveys indicating widespread voter skepticism toward his handling of the economy.[1]
Polls Reveal Sharp Decline in Trust
A recent AP-NORC poll captured the shift, where only 39 percent of Americans approved of Trump’s management of the economy, compared to 59 percent who disapproved.[2][1] Similar results emerged from other surveys. A Strength In Numbers/Verasight poll pegged overall job approval at 37 percent, with economic issues netting a -20 approval rating.[3]
Fox News reported 40 percent approval on the economy, while an ABC News/Washington Post/Ipsos survey found 41 percent approval against 57 percent disapproval.[1] These figures marked a departure from Trump’s historical strength on economic matters. Independents showed particularly low support, with just 20 percent approving in one poll.[3] Democrats led Republicans on trust for handling jobs and inflation in several measures.
Economy Shows Mixed Signals
The U.S. economy expanded by 2.2 percent in 2025, aligning with recent years but slowing from prior robustness.[4] Unemployment stayed low, and annual wage growth reached 3.7 percent as inflation eased to 2.4 percent. The Dow Jones Industrial Average surpassed 50,000 points recently.[1]
Job additions totaled 181,000 in 2025, the fewest outside a recession since 2002. Consumer spending held steady, but delinquencies rose on credit cards, car loans, and mortgages. Housing and child care affordability persisted as pain points. Tariffs drew criticism, with 64 percent disapproving in one poll, even after a Supreme Court ruling limited their scope.[1][4]
| Poll | Economy Approval | Disapproval |
|---|---|---|
| AP-NORC (Feb 2026) | 39% | 59% |
| Strength In Numbers (Feb) | Net -20 | – |
| ABC/WP/Ipsos | 41% | 57% |
Shift from Past Strengths
Trump long relied on perceptions of economic competence. Exit polls from 2016 showed him edging Hillary Clinton on the issue. In 2024, he dominated among voters prioritizing the economy, securing all seven swing states.[1] His first term maintained even or positive ratings, even amid COVID-19 challenges.
Recent data painted a different picture. Sixty-two percent disapproved of his overall performance in the AP-NORC survey, with 66 percent viewing the economy poorly.[2] A majority described the country as worse off than a year prior. Republicans expressed concerns over focus areas, with nearly three in 10 saying Trump neglected top problems.[5]
- Inflation and prices topped voter concerns at 32 percent.
- Jobs and economy followed at 16 percent.
- Democrats led on economic trust by 7-8 points in key polls.[3]
- Tariffs faced net disapproval of 21 points.
- Generic ballot favored Democrats by 10 points among registered voters.
Stakes High for Midterms
The address arrives ahead of 2026 midterms, where Republicans hold Congress but face headwinds. Trump dismissed polls as “fake,” emphasizing stock gains and tax relief measures like breaks on tips and overtime.[1] Republicans attributed woes to prior spending and highlighted a recent tax bill.
Democrats seized on affordability failures. Rep. Suzan DelBene stated, “People are angry about what they’re seeing from this administration. Families are struggling, and Republicans don’t care.”[1] The speech offered Trump a platform to reset the narrative on growth and costs.
- Trump’s economic approval hovers around 40 percent across major polls.
- Affordability and tariffs fuel voter discontent despite solid macro indicators.
- Midterm messaging will test GOP defenses on pocketbook issues.
As Trump steps to the podium tonight, restoring voter faith in his economic vision stands as his greatest challenge. The address could signal whether adjustments lie ahead or defiance prevails. What do you think about the polls and the economy? Tell us in the comments.
