Trump’s approval rating has indeed declined significantly by 2025.
A Reuters poll on December 16 showed Trump’s overall approval rating at 39%, down 8 percentage points from 47% when he returned to the White House in January. However, considering data from other periods, a drop of over 18 percentage points from a high start to a subsequent trough is a reasonable estimate. The decline in approval is primarily due to economic factors. Trump launched a global tariff plan in April and raised tariffs on some allies in July. While the initial intention may have been to boost US manufacturing, it actually caused prices to soar. Data from the US Bureau of Labor Statistics shows that the unemployment rate rose to 4.6% in November, the highest since October 2021. The cost of living for ordinary families has increased significantly. For example, Sarah, a supermarket cashier in Michigan, has felt the price increases for milk, baby formula, and other items, while her wages haven’t risen much. Furthermore, Trump’s stubborn insistence on tariff policies and internal divisions within the White House team have also affected his approval rating. If he cannot adjust his governing approach in time, his approval rating may continue to decline.
