President Donald Trump’s net approval rating has fallen to a record low net approval rating of -19 in his second term, according to The Economist’s approval tracker.
As of April 6, the tracker placed Trump at his lowest level since returning to office, down 0.3 points from the previous week and 7 points below where he stood at the same point in his first term in 2017. At the same point in former President Joe Biden’s term, his approval stood at -7.
The Economist’s analysis attributed the decline in part to the Iran war, noting that only 28% of Americans support the war while 59% oppose it. Americans have grappled with economic fallout from the war, which has driven up oil prices and pushed average gasoline prices above $4 a gallon. On Feb. 26, two days before the war began, the national average price for a gallon of gas was $2.98. Brent crude, the global benchmark for oil prices, rose to roughly $112 per barrel on April 7. The day before, it was trading at about $106 per barrel — more than 50% above pre-war levels of around $72 in late February.
Inflation remains the top voter concern, with 29% of both Democrats and Republicans listing it as the most important issue facing America in the Economist data. The analysis noted that the issue is eroding support even among some core Republican constituencies.
Trump’s handling of immigration draws comparatively stronger support, though overall sentiment remains net negative, the data showed. The Economist reported that a majority of voters approved of Trump’s March 6 firing of Kristi Noem, the former head of the Department of Homeland Security. Noem had become a central figure in the administration’s immigration enforcement efforts in Minnesota, which faced criticism after two U.S. citizens were killed in separate incidents.
Demographic breakdowns reveal sharp divides. According to The Economist, white and male voters above age 45 remain among Trump’s strongest backers, while younger Americans, ethnic minorities, and college graduates and postgraduates register some of the heaviest disapproval.
The Economist projected Trump’s approval rating state by state by using YouGov data. The data showed net negative ratings in Democratic strongholds. While the majority of people who voted for Trump still approve of his performance as president, the analysis found that support is softening in several states he won in 2024.
The report noted that Republicans are closely monitoring the numbers ahead of the 2026 midterms, as sustained low ratings could complicate GOP efforts to hold congressional majorities, stating, “The numbers will make anxious reading for Republicans facing competitive races in this year’s midterm elections.”