Polls reveal cracks in Trump’s support as market anxiety grows

US President Donald Trump’s approval and favorability ratings have begun to slip in the early months of his second term, new polling averages released by Decision Desk HQ reported.

The numbers suggest emerging trouble for the president as he approaches the 100-day mark, with growing discontent over his handling of the economy and continued controversy surrounding his policies, Caliber.Az reports citing foreign media.

Trump began his term with an approval rating above 50 per cent, but the DDHQ/The Hill average now shows his approval has fallen below 45 per cent, while his disapproval rating has climbed to 51.7 per cent—the highest of his second term so far. On personal favorability, Trump also started out in positive territory but has remained underwater since early February, with 53 percent viewing him unfavorably and 44.5 per cent favorably.

“The Democrats should be cautiously optimistic,” said Scott Tranter, director of data science for DDHQ. “They’re having a very good batting practice, but we haven’t reached the first inning of the game yet. The Republicans, they’re not having the greatest start. It’s not as bad as the first quarter was, in terms of this favorability, approval rating from the first term. So he’s doing better than the first term. And there’s quite a bit to play out in over the next 18 months.”

One of the key factors behind the downturn appears to be the economy. Trump’s long-standing strength on economic issues has taken a hit, with a Reuters/Ipsos poll released on April 23, showing his approval on the economy at just 37 per cent—a low point for either of his terms. The dip follows turmoil in financial markets and public backlash over Trump’s expansive tariff strategy. Many analysts suggest these moves, while aimed at long-term gain, are seen as economically painful in the short term.

In a column for The Hill, Chris Stirewalt commented, “If the neighborhood pizza place your family had been visiting every week started putting kale in the crust, you’d expect to see some customer dissatisfaction.”

Despite market volatility, Tranter noted that Trump’s base appears to be giving him room: “The markets probably had a more violent reaction than his approval rating has on some of these policies. So what that tells me is, the electorate, specifically his core base, is giving him some breathing room to see how this all plays out.”

Polling also shows figures close to Trump, including Elon Musk and Vice President J.D. Vance, facing similarly negative ratings, indicating a broader challenge for the GOP heading into the midterms.

By Vafa Guliyeva