President Trump's approval rating has fallen to 30 percent in a fresh Pew Research Center survey, reflecting deepening public discontent with his stewardship of foreign policy, the economy, and immigration enforcement. The poll, released Thursday, shows 68 percent of respondents disapproving of his overall job performance.
The latest figures mark a continued slide for Trump since his return to the White House in 2025, bringing him close to the nadir of his previous term—29 percent approval recorded in the aftermath of the January 6, 2021, Capitol riot. The erosion is particularly notable among the coalition that propelled him to victory in 2024.
According to Pew, Trump's support has weakened among his own 2024 backers, especially younger voters and Hispanic Americans. Just 57 percent of Hispanic voters who supported Trump in 2024 now approve of his job performance, while 69 percent of all his 2024 voters still give him positive marks. Among Trump voters aged 19 to 34, approval stands at a tepid 49 percent, compared with 76 percent among those 50 and older.
The survey also underscores widespread skepticism about Trump's ethical boundaries. Sixty-nine percent of Americans express little confidence that the president can keep his business interests separate from his presidential decision-making, while only 30 percent voice confidence.
Confidence in Trump's handling of key issues has eroded since the start of his term. For instance, just 35 percent of Americans now say they are very or somewhat confident in his foreign policy decisions—a nine-point drop since April 2025. Similarly, only 35 percent express confidence in his economic policy choices, and 41 percent in his immigration decisions.
The poll, conducted from September 28 to October 4 among 5,062 respondents, carries a margin of error of 1.6 percentage points. It comes as the Trump administration grapples with the unpopular Iran war, now in its seventh month, which has driven up prices and sent gas costs soaring. Trump said Thursday that the U.S. military would not strike Iran before the midterm elections, citing ongoing “productive discussions” with Tehran.
Meanwhile, Republican lawmakers and candidates are increasingly distancing themselves from the president, frustrated by tariffs on Canada that have raised consumer costs. Trump's recent moves—including a Russian diesel deal to ease fuel prices—have done little to calm economic anxieties.
As the midterms approach, Trump's sagging numbers pose a challenge for GOP candidates, some of whom are already distancing themselves from his controversies. The president's approval slide mirrors a broader pattern of declining public trust, raising questions about his party's prospects in November.
Political analysts note that Trump's struggles with key demographics could prove decisive. The erosion among Hispanic voters, a group he courted aggressively, and younger voters signals potential trouble for Republican turnout. With the economy and foreign policy at the forefront, Trump's ability to regain confidence remains uncertain.
