President Donald Trump’s job approval rating has fallen to its lowest point of his second term, according to a new NBC News Decision Desk Poll powered by SurveyMonkey. The survey shows that only 37% of American adults approve of the way Trump is handling his job as president, while 63% disapprove. Half of those who disapprove said they “strongly disapprove.”
The poll, conducted from March 30 to April 13, also found that two-thirds of Americans disapprove of Trump’s handling of both inflation and the ongoing war with Iran. These results come as Republicans prepare to defend their majorities in Congress during the 2026 midterm elections.
Cracks Appear in Republican Support
While Trump still enjoys strong backing from his core supporters, Republican approval has softened slightly. In the new poll, 83% of Republicans approve of Trump’s performance, down 4 points from the previous survey in late January and early February. The share of Republicans who “strongly approve” dropped from 58% to 52%.
Overall, Americans remain pessimistic about the direction of the country. Only one-third believe the United States is on the right track, while two-thirds say it is on the wrong track — the most negative outlook in NBC’s Decision Desk polling since Trump began his second term.
Economy and Inflation Top List of Concerns
The economy continues to be the most important issue for Americans. When asked which issue matters most right now, 29% chose the economy, followed by 24% who picked threats to democracy. Inflation and the rising cost of living were by far the biggest economic concern, with 45% of respondents selecting that option.
Just 32% of Americans approve of how Trump is handling inflation and the cost of living, while 68% disapprove. A majority (52%) said they strongly disapprove. Among Republicans, approval on inflation fell to 73%, down 10 points from last summer.
Personal financial situations also look worse to many Americans. Forty percent said their finances are worse today than they were a year ago — the highest share in any Decision Desk poll during Trump’s second term. Only 19% said their situation is better. Democrats (55%) and independents (46%) were far more likely than Republicans (18%) to report that their finances had worsened.
Gas prices remain a widespread concern, with nearly two-thirds of Americans saying rising fuel costs have been a problem for their family. Blue-collar workers and people with lower levels of education were especially likely to view high gas prices as a serious issue.
Mixed Views on the Iran War
Two-thirds of Americans also disapprove of Trump’s handling of the war with Iran. Approval stood at just 33%. Views did not change much even after Trump announced a temporary ceasefire on April 7.
Democrats and independents strongly opposed Trump’s approach, with 82% of independents disapproving. Among Republicans, 74% approved of his handling of the war, though 26% disapproved — higher than the overall Republican disapproval of Trump’s job performance.
A clear majority (61%) of Americans said the U.S. should not take any further military action in Iran. Support for ending involvement was even higher among Americans under 30, with 74% saying the U.S. should step back.
Some Bright Spots on Immigration and Voting
Trump saw some improvement on the issue of immigration and border security. Forty-four percent of Americans now approve of his handling of the issue, up 4 points from earlier this year. However, 56% still disapprove.
The poll also showed strong public support for stricter voting rules. Three-quarters of Americans favor requiring voters to show a government-issued photo ID. Among those who support photo ID, 61% also want the ID to include proof of citizenship.
The NBC News Decision Desk Poll surveyed 32,433 adults online between March 30 and April 13. It has a margin of error of ±1.8 percentage points.
This poll highlights growing frustration with pocketbook issues and foreign policy as Trump’s second term continues. With midterm elections approaching, these results could signal challenges for Republicans trying to hold onto their majorities in Congress.
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