In a year of political upheaval and rapid change, one thing has remained consistent: President Donald Trump’s approval ratings.
Eric Hildenbrand, a 76-year-old San Diego resident, says he’s felt the pinch of rising prices in California—but he doesn’t blame the man in the White House. A loyal Trump voter in 2024, Hildenbrand points the finger at Democrats, particularly California Governor Gavin Newsom.
“You can’t compare California with the rest of the country,” he said. “Things might be getting better elsewhere, but I don’t see it here.”
Voters like Hildenbrand are key to understanding why Trump’s approval numbers have remained unusually stable. According to a March survey by the Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research, 42% of U.S. adults approved of Trump’s performance—a figure that dipped slightly to 40% in the most recent July poll. While that’s lower than the early second-term ratings of past presidents like Barack Obama and George W. Bush, Trump’s approval has stayed within a relatively narrow band for years.
Since the end of his first term, Trump’s favorability has hovered between 33% and 43%, a remarkable steadiness that highlights the deeply entrenched opinions—both for and against—surrounding the president. That consistency has persisted through major events, including his felony conviction, the COVID-19 crisis, and even a failed assassination attempt.
One area showing signs of softening support is immigration. In March, Trump’s approval on the issue stood at around 50%. But by July, that number had dropped to 43%, matching his overall job rating. A separate CNN/SSRS poll found that 55% of Americans believe Trump has gone too far in deporting illegal immigrants—up 10 points since February.
Donovan Baldwin, an 18-year-old from Asheboro, North Carolina, voiced concern over the president’s aggressive approach. “I understand wanting to deal with illegal immigration, but the way it’s being done feels harsh,” he said. “That’s why people are protesting.”
Trump’s economic approval has also taken a hit. Once a relative strength during his first term, public confidence in his economic stewardship has declined. The July AP-NORC poll revealed that few Americans believe his policies have benefited them. Many view his tax and spending agenda as skewed toward the wealthy, with minimal benefit for the middle class.
Still, for some voters, like Brian Nichols, 58, of Albuquerque, Trump’s performance remains satisfactory overall. A 2024 Trump voter, Nichols acknowledges concerns about Trump’s social media behavior and policies such as eliminating the Department of Education. But he believes the president deserves room to govern, especially with Republicans now controlling Congress.
“We elected him for a reason,” Nichols said. “We should trust that he’s working in America’s best interest.”
Trump’s second term hasn’t included the traditional political honeymoon. In fact, his approval rating at this point mirrors where it stood two months into his first term. In March 2017, AP-NORC found 42% of Americans approved of his job performance—essentially the same as today.
Despite public unease about certain policies—especially tariffs, which many believe will raise prices—supporters like Kim Schultz of Springhill, Florida, remain enthusiastic. Schultz, 62, praised Trump’s hardline immigration tactics and dismissed concerns about rising costs.
“If tariffs make things a little more expensive, I can live with that,” she said. “He’s doing what he said he would.”
Back in California, Hildenbrand admits he’s not a fan of Trump’s personality or his tendency to insult world leaders. But he’s still behind the president’s agenda.
“He might rub people the wrong way,” Hildenbrand said, “but he’s getting things done. That matters more to me.”
