The latest NPR/PBS News/Marist poll puts President Trump’s economic approval at a two-term low of 36%, producing a -21 net rating — one point better than Joe Biden’s worst mark. 57% of voters disapprove of Trump’s handling of the economy. 45% name rising prices as their top financial worry, and seven in 10 say monthly expenses meet or exceed income, with non-white and younger Americans feeling the heaviest strain.
Trump’s Economic Approval Falls to Two-Term Low of 36% — Just One Point Above Biden’s Worst, Poll Finds
A new NPR/PBS News/Marist poll finds President Donald Trump’s approval for handling the economy has dropped to a two-term low of 36%, leaving his net rating just one point better than former President Joe Biden’s worst mark.
57% of voters now disapprove of Trump’s management of the economy, producing a -21 net score in December. By comparison, Biden’s lowest net rating was -22 in February 2022, when his disapproval on the economy reached 58%.
Affordability Is Driving Dissatisfaction
More than six in 10 Americans say the economy is not working for them personally, and seven in 10 describe the cost of living where they live as unaffordable. Prices are the dominant financial pressure: 45% of respondents named rising prices as their top financial worry, far outpacing other concerns such as housing (18%), tariffs (15%) and job security (10%).
On the campaign trail, Trump has pledged to rein in inflation and lower prices while at times calling affordability concerns a "hoax."
Who Feels It Most?
Seven in 10 people reported that their monthly expenses now meet or exceed their income. The strain is disproportionately borne by non-white and younger Americans: 68% of white respondents say costs meet or exceed their income, compared with 77% of Black respondents and 78% of Latino respondents. Younger adults, lower-income households and people without a college degree were more likely to report that their finances no longer stretch from month to month.
Overall, the poll suggests rising affordability concerns are weighing on public perceptions of the president’s economic stewardship, even as comparisons to previous administrations show this level of dissatisfaction is not without recent precedent.
