President Trump’s approval ratings are plunging amid mounting economic dissatisfaction and backlash from key demographic groups, threatening GOP momentum ahead of the 2026 midterms.
At a Glance
- Trump’s approval among Latino voters fell from 43% in February to 39% in May
- Just 38% of Latinos support his economic leadership, while 56% say the economy is worsening
- 26% of voters cite Trump’s tariffs as his worst policy decision of the term
- Approval among independent voters has plummeted to 29%
- Only 39% of Americans now approve of Trump, the lowest early-term rating in 80 years
Economic Policies Erode Support
A wave of disapproval is cresting over President Trump’s economic agenda, with recent polling showing widespread concern over his trade and fiscal policies. A Harvard CAPS/Harris Poll found that 26% of voters named Trump’s controversial tariffs as the biggest mistake of his second term, while 57% said the tariffs negatively impacted the U.S. economy.
Trump’s attempt to extend tariffs using emergency powers was recently blocked by the Court of International Trade, prompting his administration to appeal and potentially escalate the case to the Supreme Court. Despite efforts to soften the economic blow through trade deals with the UK and China, public confidence remains low. Only 11% of Americans believe they are better off than when Trump took office, and over half feel the economy is getting worse.
Watch a report: Trump’s Tariff Troubles Deepen.
Demographic Shifts Signal Trouble
Trump’s declining numbers are especially stark among Latino voters, a demographic he courted heavily in 2024. A new poll by Global Strategy Group for Somos Votantes reveals that his support among Latinos has dropped from 43% in February to 39% in May. Among Latino independents, the drop is even steeper—from 43% to just 29%. Approval among Latina women stands at a meager 30%.
The shift extends to younger and minority voters as well. A Wall Street Journal analysis reports that Trump’s disapproval among young voters now exceeds his approval by over 20 points. Minority voters have also grown increasingly critical of his leadership, with overall dissatisfaction climbing since January.
In red-leaning battlegrounds like North Carolina, which supported Trump in both 2020 and 2024, his approval has slipped below water, according to a Newsweek analysis.
Political Ramifications
The erosion of support from swing demographics could have serious consequences for Trump and the GOP as the 2026 midterms approach. Independents, who helped clinch Trump’s 2024 victory, now approve of him at just 29%, according to the Somos Votantes poll. This drop jeopardizes Republican hopes in competitive districts.
Even more concerning for the party is a Washington Post-ABC News-Ipsos poll, which records Trump’s overall approval at 39%—the lowest 100-day rating for any president since the Eisenhower era.
Still, Trump retains overwhelming support among Republican voters. An Emerson College survey shows 86% of GOP voters regard his second term as a success. Yet analysts warn that if demographic erosion and economic frustration continue, the Republican stronghold may falter in upcoming races.
