A new poll has revealed President Donald Trump is suffering in terms of the public perception of his handling of the economy.
Why It Matters
The economy is of upmost importance to American voters. A Gallup poll showed that voters overwhelmingly cited economic pressures as the key reason they voted for Trump in the November 2024 presidential election.
However, in the first few months of his presidency, confidence in Trump’s handling of the economy has fluctuated in tandem with the president’s fluctuating tariff policies. After the introduction of 10-percent import tariffs on trading partners around the world, markets plummeted, and when he later paused them for 90 days, the numbers rebounded. A series of polls suggest many Americans are feeling anxious about the tariffs and how they could impact the economy.
AP Photo/Manuel Balce Ceneta
What To Know
According to a new CBS News poll conducted with YouGov, more people now disapprove of Trump’s handling of the economy than those who approve, with 44 percent favorable and 56 percent disapproving of his policies.
In terms of tariffs, the poll found that 58 percent of people oppose Trump’s tariffs on imported goods. Forty-two percent, on the other hand, are in favor of them.
The polling was of 2,410 adults and was carried out between April 8 and April 11. The margin of error is +/- 2.5 percentage points.
Seventy-five percent believe Trump’s tariffs will increase prices in the short term and 48 percent said they would raise prices in the long term. On the other hand, just 5 percent said tariffs would decrease prices in the short term, and 30 percent said the policy would lower prices in the long term.
Meanwhile, 49 percent said Trump’s policies are making them financially worse off compared to 21 percent who said they are improving their personal finances.
A third (33 percent) said they expect the economy to be in recession next year. However, only 4 percent fewer (29 percent) said they think it will be booming or growing.
And 53 percent said the economy is getting worse, while 28 percent said it is getting better and 19 percent said it is staying about the same.
What People Are Saying
Thomas Gift, an associate professor of political science and director of the Centre on U.S. Politics at University College London, previously told Newsweek that Trump’s handling of the tariff situation has alienated many voters.
“Trump hasn’t earned himself many supporters with his handling of the tariff situation. It’s not only the policy that seems to irk voters, but also the apparent lack of strategy, the impulsive decision-making, and the inconsistent messaging from the White House. Trump has long built his brand on being a master dealmaker and a savvy businessman. However, the last several days have dealt a serious, huge blow to that image,” he said.
What Happens Next
Public opinion about politician’s policies fluctuates. Whether there is a sustained backlash against Trump’s policies remains to be seen, as does whether he changes course because of public opinion.
