Here’s a quick rundown of the key takeaways:
- The economy, once a Trump stronghold, is no longer his top strength according to new polling.
- Border security and crime have emerged as his most potent issues in his second term.
- Immigration remains a significant topic, though approval ratings have seen a slight dip.
- The economy is a particular weak spot for Trump among independent voters.
- Trade and healthcare are consistently low-performing issues, even among his Republican base.
The Economy: Once a King, Now a Commoner?
Remember the days when Donald Trump could point to a booming economy and claim victory? Well, new polling suggests those days might be behind him. In his first term, economic issues were a clear winner, boosting his approval ratings significantly. However, the latest data paints a different picture. Americans’ confidence in his handling of the economy has taken a hit, especially among independent voters. While 37% of U.S. adults approve of his economic stewardship, it’s a noticeable drop from the nearly 50% who felt that way during his first term. This decline is particularly stark among independents, with only about 2 in 10 giving him a thumbs-up on the economy. This is a far cry from the days before the COVID-19 pandemic, when his economic approval was soaring.
Border Security and Crime: The New Powerhouses
So, if not the economy, what’s firing up voters now? The polls point overwhelmingly to border security and crime. These two issues have become Trump’s trump cards in his second term. A significant majority of Americans now approve of his approach to border security, a major turnaround from his first term when that figure was closer to 4 in 10. This renewed strength comes as he continues to push for stricter immigration policies. His stance on crime also remains a strong suit, with 46% approval. While this is a slight dip from August, it still outshines his overall job approval and resonates particularly well with independents, who give him higher marks on crime than on his presidency as a whole.
Immigration: Still a Hot Topic, But With Nuances
Immigration played a huge role in Trump’s rise to power, and it continues to be a significant issue. While his approval on immigration is slightly lower than at the start of his second term, it still hovers above his overall job approval. Around 43% of U.S. adults currently approve of his handling of immigration. However, there’s a growing sentiment that he might be going too far; about half of Americans feel his pursuit of deporting undocumented immigrants has been excessive. This indicates a complex relationship with the issue, where the desire for strong border control is balanced by concerns about the methods used.
Weak Spots: Trade, Healthcare, and Foreign Policy Pains
It’s not all good news for the president. Certain issues consistently underperform, even among his core supporters. Trade negotiations and healthcare are two such areas where Trump struggles to gain strong approval, even within the Republican party. Only about 7 in 10 Republicans give him high marks on these fronts. More broadly, only about one-third of all U.S. adults approve of his performance on trade and healthcare. This sentiment extends to new tariffs, with a significant portion of Americans, including Republicans, feeling he’s gone too far. Even on the international stage, his handling of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict sees lukewarm approval, with about 37% of U.S. adults giving him a nod. Foreign policy, in general, remains a steady but not stellar area for him.
Overall Approval: Steady as She Goes?
Despite these shifts in issue strengths, Trump’s overall approval rating has remained remarkably stable since the beginning of his second term. Currently hovering around 39%, it’s a familiar pattern to his first term, where his approval ratings stayed within a tight range. This suggests that while the specific issues that resonate with voters may be changing, his core base of support remains largely consistent. The challenge for him now lies in broadening his appeal on issues like the economy, where he’s currently facing headwinds, while maintaining his edge on border security and crime.
Key Poll Details
The data comes from a poll of 1,183 adults conducted by the AP-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research from September 11-15. The margin of error for the overall adult sample is plus or minus 3.8 percentage points.
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