Trump Approval Ratings Fall Below 50% Amid Economic Concerns

President Donald Trump's approval ratings have declined, particularly among independent voters, signaling potential challenges for him and the Republican Party ahead of the 2026 midterms. Gallup's recent poll highlights a drop to 33% approval among independents, down from 46% earlier in the year, while his overall approval remains around 43%-46%, with disapproval hovering above 50%. Economic issues, especially concerns about tariffs, inflation, and the cost of living, are driving much of the dissatisfaction, with approval ratings on these matters falling below 40%. Although Trump maintains relatively strong support for his handling of immigration and border security, these issues are becoming less salient to voters compared to economic worries. Polls from multiple sources, including Marquette Law School, Reuters/Ipsos, and Fox News, confirm a general trend of Trump's approval ratings dipping into negative territory, despite stable support from his base Republicans. Analysts note that voters expected economic relief that has yet to materialize, which is reflected in the declining approval numbers.