Trump's Approval Ratings Now Plunge Into Negative Territory • FrankNez Media

On September 2, 2025, CNN’s senior data analyst Harry Enten delivered a stark assessment of President Donald Trump’s declining popularity, revealing that his net approval ratings have turned negative across all major issues, including the economy, immigration, and the Jeffrey Epstein files.

In an appearance on CNN Newsroom with Jim Acosta, Enten highlighted a Quinnipiac poll showing Trump’s overall approval at 39%, with disapproval at 55%, marking a significant drop from his January 2025 high of 45%.

The polling data, reflecting public discontent with Trump’s handling of key issues like inflation and trade, signals trouble for the administration as economic woes and controversies mount ahead of the 2026 midterms.

Enten’s Analysis of Trump’s Polling Woes

Enten, analyzing the Quinnipiac poll, stated, “Donald Trump is underwater on every single major issue that we have polled.”

Specifically, Trump’s net approval ratings are minus 5 on immigration, minus 7 on the economy, minus 11 on trade, minus 13 on foreign policy, and a striking minus 37 on the Epstein files, per The Daily Beast.

The economy, a cornerstone of Trump’s 2024 campaign, has seen a particularly sharp decline, with Enten noting a 34-point swing from a 9-point lead over Vice President Kamala Harris on inflation before the election to a negative 25 now, per Yahoo.

“My goodness gracious! Into the gutter we go!” Enten remarked, calling the shift an “abject disaster” for Trump.

The CNN poll, conducted among 1,265 registered voters, showed 53% of Americans believe the economy is worsening, up from 42% when Trump won re-election.

Enten emphasized that this negative sentiment is dragging down GOP prospects, stating, “The wrath that the voters feel for Donald Trump on inflation is transferring over to House Republicans,” with Democrats gaining a 15-point favorability edge on inflation since October 2022, per Yahoo.

Trump’s overall approval has been net negative for 181 consecutive days since March 12, 2025, impacting even his strongholds like crime and immigration.

Factors Driving Public Discontent

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Trump’s economic policies, particularly his tariffs—a 10% universal levy and up to 245% on Chinese goods—have fueled inflation concerns, with Wisconsin Aluminum Foundry reporting a 35-40% order drop and layoffs, as earlier reported by FrankNez Media.

The economy grew at a sluggish 1.2% in 2025, with July’s job growth at 73,000 and unemployment at 4.2%, triggering recession fears, per ABC News and Forbes reports.

The Bureau of Labor Statistics reported consumer prices rose 2.7% in July compared to a year earlier, with Trump’s tariffs offsetting cheaper gas and slower rent increases.

The Epstein files controversy has further eroded Trump’s standing.

His administration’s refusal to fully release the files, despite a 2024 campaign promise, has drawn bipartisan criticism, with 83% of Republicans favoring disclosure, per The New York Times.

Rep. Thomas Massie (R-KY) accused the DOJ of protecting pedophile GOP donors, while survivors like Haley Robson rejected Trump’s “Democrat hoax” claim.

Other issues, such as the Pentagon’s rebranding as the “Department of War” and a potential government shutdown over a $4.95 billion pocket rescission, have compounded public frustration.

Trump’s claim of having “the best numbers ever” was debunked by Enten, who noted his second-term approval is the lowest of any president at the six-month mark, except for his own first term, per Mediaite.

As the 2026 midterms approach, Trump’s polling slump, coupled with controversies like RFK Jr.’s vaccine policies and immigration raids, threatens GOP unity.

The administration’s challenges, including a 39% approval rating and economic headwinds, could embolden Democrats, who are leveraging public discontent to regain House control, per MSN.

Also Read: GOP Members Now Believe Trump Is Named First In The Epstein Files

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