Polling Insights: Trump's Evolving Strengths and Weaknesses in Second Term

Sat Oct 11 2025 06:29:45 GMT+0300 (Eastern European Summer Time)

A recent poll reveals shifts in President Trump's approval ratings and the key issues impacting his presidency as he navigates his second term.

New polling data highlights President Trump's changing approval ratings in various domains. While he demonstrates strength in border security and crime, his economic approval remains low, particularly with independents. Health care and trade negotiations are among his weakest areas, even among his Republican base. The poll conducted by the AP-NORC reveals nuanced perceptions of Trump's handling of both domestic and foreign policies.

WASHINGTON (AP) — Polling data indicates significant changes in President Donald Trump’s approval ratings as he embarks on his second term. Economic issues, which once bolstered his standing, now show a notable decline, shifting focus to crime and border security. A year of polling has unveiled a dramatic decrease in public confidence regarding his economic management, especially among independent voters.

Historically, Trump gained significant support from Americans on issues related to immigration and the economy, yet the current sentiment paints a different picture. Recent surveys suggest that only 39% of U.S. adults approve of his overall job performance, consistent with his average approval ratings following a slight increase in August.

Strengths in Border Security and Crime

In contrast to his initial term, Trump now garners higher approval ratings for his approach to border security than for any other aspect of his presidency. Currently, around half of Americans support his stricter immigration policies, an improvement from nearly 40% during his earlier administration. Meanwhile, his handling of crime has attracted approximately 46% approval, reflecting a decline but still surpassing his general approval ratings, especially among independent voters.

Challenges in Economic Approval

The economy proves to be a precarious topic for Trump, with only 37% approval for his economic policies, a significant drop from last year. This bleak view is exacerbated among independents, where approval falls below 20%. Throughout his first term, Trump's economic handling received much higher ratings, peaking before the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, which subsequently impacted his perception as President.

Low Ratings in Trade and Health Care

Polls indicate that Trump's weakest areas reside in health care and trade negotiations, with only about 70% of Republican respondents approving of his stance. Only one-third of adults nationwide express satisfaction with his approach to these issues, highlighting an ongoing trend of discontent amongst his base.

Mixed Reactions to Foreign Policy

On the world stage, Trump's handling of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict garnered only 37% approval, a decline from previous months. Nevertheless, his overall foreign policy ratings remain steady, aligning with broader trends in public opinion.

The recent AP-NORC poll surveyed 1,183 adults between September 11-15, providing insights into the evolving landscape of Trump's support as he navigates complex political terrains in his second term.