A new national survey reveals that public disapproval of President Trump’s economic management has reached its highest level since the start of his first term in office.
The latest NPR/PBS News/Marist poll, released Thursday, indicates a significant shift in public sentiment regarding the administration’s fiscal performance. According to the data, only 36 percent of respondents approve of the president’s handling of the economy, while 59 percent expressed disapproval. This figure represents a notable escalation from the 57 percent disapproval rating recorded just one month ago, marking a historic peak in dissatisfaction within this specific polling series, which dates back to January 2017.
The timing of this decline in public confidence is particularly critical for the administration as the country moves closer to the upcoming midterm elections. With approximately nine months remaining before voters head to the polls, the survey suggests that economic anxieties are becoming the primary driver of political discourse. The data underscores a growing disconnect between the White House’s optimistic rhetoric and the lived experiences of a majority of the American electorate, particularly among the crucial demographic of independent voters.
Inflation remains at the forefront of the public’s concerns, despite the president’s repeated campaign promises to stabilize the cost of living. While the headline inflation rate showed a marginal decline during the first year of his second term—dropping from 3 percent in January 2025 to 2.7 percent by December—the nuance of the data reveals why consumers remain frustrated. Essential costs, specifically food prices, have continued to climb, rising 3.1 percent year-over-year in December. This represents an acceleration from the 2.5 percent increase seen at the start of 2025, placing a persistent strain on household budgets across the country.
The survey highlights a specific demand for a shift in executive focus, with more than half of all respondents stating that the White House should prioritize lowering prices above all other economic goals. Among self-identified independents, that figure rises to nearly 6 in 10, suggesting that the “swing” constituency is increasingly focused on purchasing power. The persistence of high costs for everyday goods has largely overshadowed the slight cooling of the overall consumer price index, leading to a perception that the administration’s policies have yet to provide tangible relief to the middle class.
Trade policy has also emerged as a point of contention in the public’s assessment of the economy. The president’s implementation of sweeping tariffs, a cornerstone of his “America First” platform, has faced scrutiny from both economists and the public. A majority of those surveyed in the NPR/PBS News/Marist poll indicated that they believe these tariffs have actively harmed the domestic economy. This sentiment is particularly strong among independents, with more than 60 percent expressing concern over the impact of trade barriers on consumer prices and market stability.
These public perceptions are supported by recent findings from the Kiel Institute for the World Economy. The institute’s research estimated that American consumers and firms bore approximately 96 percent of the costs associated with the newly imposed levies over the past year. As businesses passed these additional expenses down the supply chain, the resulting price hikes on imported goods and components contributed to the very inflationary pressures the president vowed to eliminate. This feedback loop has created a challenging narrative for the White House to navigate as it defends its protectionist stance.
Labor market trends have further complicated the administration’s economic messaging. While the United States has maintained an unemployment rate below 5 percent since September 2021, the trend line has recently moved in an unfavorable direction. The unemployment rate rose from 4 percent in January 2025 to 4.4 percent by December. Although historically low by long-term standards, the incremental increase in joblessness has contributed to a broader sense of economic cooling, adding to the negative sentiment reflected in the latest polling data.
In an effort to counteract these figures and regain control of the economic narrative, President Trump has engaged in a series of high-profile domestic tours. Over the last two months, the president has visited key battleground states, including Pennsylvania, Michigan, and Iowa. These appearances have served as a platform for the president to tout his legislative agenda and draw sharp contrasts between his administration and that of his predecessor, former President Joe Biden. The strategy appears rooted in an attempt to frame current economic challenges as the lingering effects of previous policies.
During a recent rally in Iowa, the president characterized the state of the union he inherited as a “mess” left by the Biden administration. He asserted that under his leadership, the economy is “booming,” incomes are on the rise, and investment is “soaring.” He further claimed that inflation has been effectively defeated and that the nation’s borders are secure. However, the disparity between these assertions and the 59 percent disapproval rating suggests that a significant portion of the public remains unconvinced by the administration’s self-assessment of its successes.
The gap between executive rhetoric and public opinion is often widest during periods of structural economic transition. While the administration points to macro-level successes and the “defeat” of inflation, the Marist poll suggests that the American public is weighing its approval against specific, micro-level metrics: the price of a grocery basket, the stability of a job, and the cost of imported goods. For the White House, the challenge lies in translating high-level policy goals into visible improvements in the daily financial lives of citizens before the midterm cycle reaches its peak.
Political analysts suggest that the rise in disapproval among independents is the most concerning metric for the president’s party. In recent election cycles, this group has functioned as the bellwether for national trends. If the perception persists that tariffs are a primary driver of cost increases and that the administration is failing to address the “kitchen table” issue of food inflation, the GOP may face a difficult environment in November. The current polling indicates that the administration’s focus on blaming the previous term is losing its efficacy as the current term reaches its one-year milestone.
The NPR/PBS News/Marist survey was conducted between January 27 and January 30, utilizing a multifaceted approach that included phone, text, and online interviews. The sample consisted of 1,462 U.S. adults, providing a comprehensive snapshot of the national mood. With a margin of error of 2.9 percentage points, the poll is considered a highly reliable indicator of current social and political trends. As the administration moves into the second year of its term, these figures will likely serve as a benchmark for measuring the success or failure of upcoming fiscal interventions.
As the legislative session continues, the White House is expected to face renewed pressure from both sides of the aisle to adjust its trade and fiscal strategies. Whether the president will double down on his current trajectory or pivot to address the specific concerns regarding tariffs and food prices remains to be seen. What is clear, however, is that the current economic narrative is being written by a public that feels increasingly alienated from the “booming” economy described by the Oval Office.
Ultimately, the disconnect between the administration’s proclamations and the Marist findings highlights the volatile nature of post-2024 American politics. With the economic landscape shifting under the weight of new trade policies and fluctuating labor statistics, the president’s ability to reverse these disapproval trends may well determine the balance of power in the coming year. For now, the record-high disapproval serves as a stark reminder of the hurdles remaining for the administration’s economic agenda.
