Trump's Approval Ratings Now Slip Amid Surprising Economy Data • Franknez.com

Just nine months into his second term, President Donald Trump’s approval rating has edged down to 41%, a subtle but telling dip as more Americans express deep worries about the sputtering economy and skyrocketing prices.

A fresh Reuters/Ipsos poll paints a picture of a nation on edge, where job losses and inflation are overshadowing Trump’s wins on immigration and fueling a sense that things are heading in the wrong direction.

The three-day survey, wrapping up on Sunday, September 21, 2025, showed 41% of respondents approving of Trump’s job performance—down a point from 42% in the prior poll conducted September 5-9.

It’s a small slide, but it comes against a backdrop of mounting economic jitters that have been building since Trump returned to the White House promising to “fix” the mess left by his predecessor.

Poll Results Show Growing Concerns in U.S. Economy

At the top of the list?

The economy itself.

A stark 54% of those polled said the national economy is on the wrong track, up from 53% in August and 52% in July.

That’s a creeping pessimism that’s hard to ignore, especially as only 35% gave Trump a thumbs-up on his economic handling—a slight drop from recent readings.

Even tougher, just 28% approved of how he’s tackling the cost of living, another notch lower than before.

Trump rode into office last year vowing to tame inflation and boost jobs, but these numbers suggest the public isn’t feeling the relief yet.

The data lines up with some rough headlines lately.

U.S. job growth took a nosedive in August, with the unemployment rate climbing to a nearly four-year high of 4.3%.

Inflation picked up steam last month too, adding to the squeeze on wallets.

Earlier this year, when Trump was rattling markets with threats of steep tariffs on imports, stocks tanked and consumer confidence wobbled.

Those fears haven’t fully faded, even as the president shifts focus.

Immigration Data

Trump’s trying to pivot, zeroing in on what polls show as a brighter spot: immigration.

His hardline policies, including mass arrests of those suspected of being in the country illegally, earned a steady 42% approval—unchanged from before and his highest-rated area.

It’s a lifeline for his numbers, but it’s not enough to offset the economic drag.

Still, many believe that Trump’s aggressive immigration policies will tank the economy, with over 50% of republicans disapproving of his handling.

The poll also tapped into broader anxieties, like the wave of political violence that’s gripped the country.

After the September 10 assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk, Trump ramped up his warnings about threats from the left, telling mourners at Kirk’s Arizona memorial on Sunday that “the violence comes largely from the left.”

Reuters/Ipsos polls this year have consistently pegged political extremism as America’s top headache, with 28% of respondents in the latest survey calling it the biggest issue—nearly double the 16% who pointed to the economy.

When asked which party has the better plan to tackle extremism, it was a dead heat: 30% went with Republicans, 26% for Democrats, and the rest unsure or picking neither.

Interestingly, on straight-up economic management, more folks (34%) trusted the GOP over Democrats (24%)—a small win for Trump amid the gloom.

How America Moves Forward

Conducted online with a representative sample of U.S. adults, the poll underscores how Trump’s honeymoon phase is wearing thin.

Back in January, optimism ran high after his election win, but persistent headwinds like unemployment and prices are chipping away at that goodwill.

As midterms approach, this dip could spell trouble if the economy doesn’t turn the corner soon.

For Trump, who prides himself on being the ultimate dealmaker, these numbers are a wake-up call.

His team’s betting on immigration wins and a tough stance on extremism to rally the base, but if voters keep feeling the pinch at the pump and the checkout line, that 41% could slide further.

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