Trump Approval Inches Up to 41% as Republicans Warm to Cost‑of‑Living Push

President Donald Trump's overall approval rating rose to 41% in the past week, according to a Reuters/Ipsos online poll, a modest increase that coincided with growing Republican support for his handling of the cost of living.

Poll Findings and Recent Shifts

The six-day survey, which closed on Monday, put Mr. Trump's approval at 41%, up from 38% in late November — that month marked his lowest level since returning to the White House in January. He began his second term with a 47% approval rating.

On the specific question of managing the cost of living, approval rose to 31% from 26% in late November. That gain was driven in part by a 10-percentage-point jump among Republican respondents: 69% of Republicans rated him favorably on the issue. Overall Republican approval of his job performance also increased to 85% from 82% a month earlier.

"A hoax," Mr. Trump has at times said of Democrats' focus on affordability.

Political Context

Mr. Trump has recently stepped up his emphasis on affordability, scaling back some tariff increases and pledging to address rising food prices. He is scheduled to deliver a speech on affordability and related economic issues in Pennsylvania, a key battleground state, ahead of a midterm cycle in which all 435 U.S. House seats will be contested.

The poll also recorded a small uptick in Hispanic approval: 34% of Hispanic respondents said they approved of Mr. Trump's performance, up from 32% in late November.

Economic Background

The survey notes that inflation accelerated under Mr. Trump's predecessor, Democrat Joe Biden, and elevated inflation was a major issue in the 2024 campaign. Consumer prices were up 3% in the 12 months through September, above the historical norm of roughly 2%.

Methodology

The Reuters/Ipsos online survey gathered responses from 4,434 U.S. adults nationwide and carries a margin of error of plus or minus 2 percentage points.

Reporting: Reuters/Ipsos poll results. (Reporting by Jason Lange; editing by Scott Malone and Cynthia Osterman.)