Economist: Trump’s approval begins to crumble

A magazine The Economist Published on Wednesday (17) an analysis of the approval rates of President Donald Trump in his second term. After 240 days, the Republican faces a scenario of political wear and tear: their approval rate is 39%, while 56% of Americans disapprove of their management. The result is a negative balance of 17 points, two and a half points worse than the previous week.

According to the publication, this performance repeats the standard of the first term, when Trump almost never reached positive popularity rates. In 2025, the president even began with reasonable evaluation, but confidence fell quickly. In less than two months, its approval was already in negative territory and did not recover again.

The economy, the main flag of its reelection, is the most sensitive point. Trump promised “wages on high, zero inflation and unprecedented prosperity for the middle class”, but reality has been different. Their commercial clashes made the confidence of the US plummeting. Issues such as immigration and crime, central to their republican base, also registered disapproval rates.

The survey of Economist/YouGov It also shows that dissatisfaction crosses political borders. Although Trump remains popular in traditionally republican states and among white men without higher education, he loses support in regions that reappointed him to the White House in 2024. Among the younger minorities, racial minorities and higher education people, the president faces strong rejection. Even between elderly voters, a historically conservative group, enthusiasm is warm.

The study also reveals which themes most concern Americans at this time. Inflation appears as a priority for 22%of the population, followed by economics and jobs (13%), health (11%) and civil rights (9%). Party clipping, however, shows differences: Republicans put immigration and taxes between major problems, while democrats highlight health and climate change.

For the magazine, the conjuncture indicates that although Trump cannot dispute the reelection in 2028, its governability will depend on public perception. The drop in approval limits its margin of action in Congress and can weaken republican allies in next year’s legislative elections.