President Donald Trump’s approval rating dipped to 39 percent in mid-December 2025, edging close to the lowest point of his current term, according to a new Reuters/Ipsos poll that points to growing frustration with his stewardship of the U.S. economy.
The survey—based on responses collected in the days leading up to December 16—suggests dissatisfaction is rising not only among the broader electorate but also within parts of the Republican coalition, driven largely by concerns about inflation and the ripple effects of Trump’s economic agenda, including tariffs.
The findings add to a growing body of polling indicating that more Americans are unhappy with the direction of the economy than satisfied—an uncomfortable backdrop for an administration that has made cost-of-living relief a central message.
“Putting an end to Joe Biden’s inflation and affordability crisis has been a Day One priority for President Trump,” Kush Desai, White House spokesman, told Newsweek in an emailed statement Tuesday. “Much work remains, but President Trump and his Administration will continue to do what’s necessary to turn Joe Biden’s economic disaster around and restore the historic economy Americans enjoyed during the first Trump term.”
The Context
The decline in Trump’s approval rating underscores rising economic anxiety and could signal increased political exposure as voters weigh the administration’s performance on headline issues—particularly inflation, affordability, and overall economic stability.
The 39 percent overall job approval represents a notable drop from the 47 percent Trump registered upon returning to office in January 2025. It also sits within a point of his lowest rating of the year, highlighting a year-long slide in public sentiment tied closely to economic conditions.
What To Know
The Reuters/Ipsos poll, conducted December 13–15, 2025, shows Trump’s job approval down two points from earlier in December, landing at 39 percent among U.S. adults.
The poll noted that Trump’s lowest mark of the year remains 38 percent from mid-November. His January start at 47 percent now appears increasingly distant as economic unease has persisted.
Inflation, described in the poll coverage as hovering around 3 percent—above the Federal Reserve’s 2 percent target—continued to rank among voters’ top concerns. Approval on the cost of living also weakened: just 27 percent of respondents said they approved of Trump’s handling of that issue, down from 31 percent earlier in the month.
Economic concerns were not limited to prices. Trump’s trade strategy—especially tariffs on imports—was cited by many economists as a factor that may be contributing to employers pulling back on hiring, adding another layer of worry for households already strained by higher costs.
A recent government shutdown further complicated the picture by disrupting economic data collection and increasing uncertainty around key indicators used to assess momentum.
The Reuters/Ipsos poll was conducted online with 1,016 respondents nationwide, with a margin of error of about 3 percentage points. The trendline was described as consistent with other large surveys, including those from The Economist/YouGov and poll aggregators referenced in The Economist and The Conversation.
What People Are Saying
Kush Desai, White House spokesman, told Newsweek in an emailed statement Tuesday: “Putting an end to Joe Biden’s inflation and affordability crisis has been a Day One priority for President Trump. Every Trump administration official has been playing their part over the past year to deliver on this priority, from slashing costly regulations to securing historic drug pricing deals – efforts that have cooled inflation and raised real wages. Much work remains, but President Trump and his Administration will continue to do what’s necessary to turn Joe Biden’s economic disaster around and restore the historic economy Americans enjoyed during the first Trump term.”
Trump said in a Truth Social post: “When will I get credit for having created, with No Inflation, perhaps the Greatest Economy in the History of our Country?…When will Polls reflect the Greatness of America at this point in time, and how bad it was just one year ago?”
Democratic National Committee Rapid Response Director Kendall Witmer said in a statement to Newsweek: “Donald Trump’s train wreck of an economy is catching up to him, and it’s no wonder voters are pissed. Trump promised to ‘lower costs on Day One,’ but prices are soaring, and good-paying jobs are out of reach for everyday Americans. Trump’s plan of action so far has been to call affordability a ‘hoax’ and tell Americans not to ‘be dramatic.’ Meanwhile, working families are skipping meals, forgoing critical medical care, and depleting their savings as Trump doubles down on his disastrous economic policies. While Trump twiddles his thumbs, Democrats are working tirelessly to bring down prices and lower the cost-of-living.”
What Happens Next
Trump’s approval rating will likely continue to move with public perceptions of the economy as Congress returns in January and the runway to the 2026 midterm elections shortens.
If inflation stays elevated or job growth softens, Republicans in competitive districts could face sharper pressure from swing voters—particularly if the economy remains the dominant issue. The next wave of national polls and early-2026 economic releases will help shape campaign strategy, messaging, and the political narrative heading into the midterm year.
