President Trump’s approval on the economy has plummeted to a disheartening 38%, a new low that’s got even the staunchest supporters scratching their heads, as The Hill reports.
According to a Quinnipiac University Poll released on Wednesday, only 38% of registered voters approve of Trump’s handling of the economy, while a hefty 57% disapprove and 5% remain undecided.
This isn’t just a blip; it’s the lowest mark Trump has hit on this issue since taking office in 2017, dipping below his previous nadir of 39%, a number he’s touched four times, including just last month. The partisan divide couldn’t be starker—88% of Republicans still back him, while a measly 2% of Democrats give a nod, and independents are barely on board at 30%. It’s a tough crowd when even the middle ground looks like quicksand.
The Quinnipiac survey, conducted via phone from October 16-20 with 1,327 registered voters, carries a margin of error of 3.5 percentage points. That’s a tight enough window to trust the numbers, but they sting nonetheless for those rooting for a robust economic legacy.
Since returning to the Oval Office in January, Trump has doubled down on a signature policy—sweeping tariffs on global trading partners aimed at bolstering domestic manufacturing. It’s a bold move, no question, but the fallout is hitting American businesses and consumers harder than a freight train.
Per United Nations Trade and Development data, Trump slapped 50% tariffs on imported iron, steel, aluminum, and copper, with exceptions like 25% on U.K. metals and a whopping 200% on Russian aluminum. Add to that 50% tariffs on goods from India and Brazil, and 30% on Chinese imports, and you’ve got a recipe for sticker shock across industries. It’s a gamble meant to protect American jobs, but at what cost?
The pain isn’t just theoretical—Goldman Sachs crunched the numbers earlier this month and found that American consumers are bearing 55% of these tariff costs in the current year. Businesses aren’t spared either, shouldering 22% of the burden, and the report warns that firms are likely to pass those costs right back to shoppers in the months ahead.
Let’s not sugarcoat it: when the average family’s grocery bill or hardware store run gets pricier, they don’t blame Beijing—they blame the policies coming out of Washington. The intention behind these tariffs might be to revive American industry, but if the little guy gets squeezed, the optics turn sour fast.
Meanwhile, the broader economic picture offers no easy comfort, with the Bureau of Labor Statistics pegging the civilian unemployment rate at 4.3% as of August. Inflation over the past 12 months sits at 2.9%, a number that doesn’t scream crisis but still nibbles at wallets. It’s a mixed bag, and for many, the tariff burden feels like an extra kick when they’re already down.
For Trump’s base, the faith remains strong—those 88% of Republicans approving are likely seeing these tariffs as a necessary stand against globalist overreach. But when independents, often the deciding voice, are only at 30% support, it’s a warning siren that the economic message isn’t resonating.
The progressive crowd might crow about these numbers as proof of policy failure, but let’s be fair—reviving domestic manufacturing in a world addicted to cheap imports was never going to be painless. The question is whether the long-term gains will materialize before voter frustration boils over.
Goldman Sachs’ projection of passed-on costs looms large; if businesses keep hiking prices, the everyday American—already juggling inflation and stagnant wages—won’t care about the noble intent behind the tariffs. They’ll just feel the pinch.
Trump’s economic strategy is a high-stakes chess game, pitting national pride against immediate financial pain. It’s a classic conservative ideal—protecting American workers over foreign interests—but the execution is proving divisive even among those who want to cheer him on.
There’s no dodging the reality: 57% disapproval is a brutal statistic, and it’s not just the usual suspects on the left piling on. When over half the country, including a chunk of independents, says they’re not buying what you’re selling, it’s time to reassess the pitch.
Still, let’s give credit where it’s due—Trump’s willingness to challenge the status quo of international trade is a gutsy stand against decades of policies that hollowed out American industry. The road to recovery was always going to be bumpy, but with numbers like these, the administration might need a smoother gear shift to keep the heartland on board.
