Four Months In: Trump’s Most and Least Popular Issues

Throughout Trump’s first four months in office, opinions have differed about his tactics and how he has handled various issues. His approval rating, which was initially positive, dipped into negative territory; since late April, it has become less negative, now standing at 50.2% disapproving, and 45.9% approving in the RCP Average. While Trump’s approval suffers on issues such as the economy and inflation, his negotiating skills and immigration remain a point of strong confidence among Americans.

According to the latest Economist/YouGov poll, taken May 9-12 among 1,786 U.S. adults, Americans express significant confidence in Trump’s ability to impose his will on others. When asked if they agreed with the statement, “Donald Trump can get people to do what he wants,” 59% agreed, while only 20% disagreed. His dealmaking was on display in several announcements this week, including trade agreements with China and Britain, as well as the return of the last living American hostage held by Hamas.

Despite confidence in his negotiating skills, concerns persist about the economy, largely due to the lingering tariff issue. On inflation, only 35% approved of Trump’s handling, while 57% disapproved. On the broader economy, 42% approved while 50% disapproved, according to the Economist/YouGov poll.

These negative ratings come despite relatively strong economic indicators early in Trump’s presidency. Following the high tariffs announced on “Liberation Day,” April 2, the April Consumer Price Index Report found that prices rose by only 2.3% over the past year, the lowest inflation rate since February 2021. Unemployment also remained low in April at 4.2%. The stock market has also rebounded from the tariff-related downturn, with the S&P 500 up 18% since its low on April 8.

However, the positive direction of the economy has not been widely perceived. When asked about the impact of Trump’s tariffs on prices, 44% said they believed prices would increase “a lot,” 30% said prices would increase “slightly,” and only 14% said they expected no change or a decrease in prices. Additionally, 53% said they believed the tariffs would hurt the economy, while only 30% said they would help. Overall, 50% said the economy is getting worse, while just 21% said it is improving.

Even in industries that the tariffs are intended to protect, skepticism remains. Among respondents, 37% said they believed the tariffs would hurt U.S. manufacturing, while 38% said they would help. When asked who would be hurt most by a trade war, 41% said the United States, while 32% said the rest of the world, even though the United States imports more than it exports.

Trump’s other strong-performing areas are immigration and crime. According to the Economist/YouGov poll, he holds a net +4 approval rating on immigration, 50% to 46%, and a net +9 on crime, 49% to 40%. These numbers have rebounded after dipping in April amid controversy over deportations and questions about their justification.