Trump’s popularity with US voters slumps in opinion polls
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Overall, Mr Donald Trump’s average approval rating of 45 percent in his first three months back in office has been below all other post-World War II presidents in the US.
PHOTO: AFP
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WASHINGTON - US President Donald Trump’s popularity has sunk since his riotous return to the White House, polls showed on April 23, with Americans criticising him on key issues of the economy and immigration.
The Republican has unleashed a flood of actions – from sweeping tariffs to immigration crackdowns – to deliver on what he considers an overwhelming mandate from US voters.
But an Economist/YouGov survey found a downward trend in Mr Trump’s approval rating, with 41 per cent of Americans now signalling support compared to around half in January.
Another poll, by Pew Research Centre, found Mr Trump’s job rating has dropped from 47 per cent in February to 40 per cent today – significantly lower than his predecessor Joe Biden’s score of 59 per cent in April 2021.
Overall, Mr Trump’s average approval rating of 45 percent in his first three months back in office has been below all other post-World War II presidents elected in the United States, Gallup said last week.
Results also show Americans losing confidence in Mr Trump’s ability to handle key issues such as the economy.
Voters in 2024 viewed the 78-year-old billionaire as strong on the economy, but his imposition of sweeping tariffs on trade partners
Some 54 per cent of Americans now feel the economy is getting worse, compared to 37 per cent in January, according to the Economist/YouGov poll.
Mr Trump’s approval rating is notably lagging on the cost of living, a Reuters/Ipsos survey showed, with just 31 per cent of Americans approving of his performance on that issue.
Inflation was a hot topic in the November election, with Mr Trump vowing to immediately lower prices as president.
He has seen a similar downward trend on immigration – another typically strong area for Mr Trump, who has led a hardline deportation strategy targeting undocumented migrants
The Economist/YouGov poll found that 45 per cent of Americans approve of how Mr Trump is handling immigration, compared with 50 per cent two weeks ago.
Polls also show a drop in support among some key demographics that helped Mr Trump return to power by picking him over Democratic election rival Kamala Harris.
They include Hispanic voters, whose approval score has dropped from 36 per cent in early February to 27 per cent, according to the Pew poll. AFP
