Several new polls show Americans appear disappointed with President Donald Trump‘s handling of the United States economy.
Newsweek reached out to the White House via email Monday for comment.
Why It Matters
Trump coasted with positive numbers near his January inauguration, but his approval ratings have dipped in the last couple of weeks, particularly regarding his handling of the economy.
The polls come days before Trump’s reciprocal tariffs on all nations begin, which the president has defended as a way to boost government revenue. Global stock markets were down on Monday and Goldman Sachs has raised the odds of a recession from 20 percent to 35 percent, Reuters reported.
What To Know
A new Harvard CAPS/Harris poll shows Trump’s March approval rating when it comes to the economy at 45 percent, slipping from his February approval rating of 49 percent. The survey was conducted from March 26-27 among 2,746 registered voters with a margin of error of 1.9 percent.
The poll also showed that inflation and the economy were the number one and two issues for voters. Fifty-three percent view the economy as weak, and 47 percent say it is strong.
A new CBS News/YouGov poll showed that 51 percent of American adults think the economy is worsening, compared to 26 percent who say it is improving. In a previous poll in February, 49 percent said the economy was getting worse, and 24 percent said it was getting better.
The March poll also shows that 23 percent of people say they are better off under Trump’s economic policies, down from 42 percent in January.
The poll shows that 42 percent of Americans now say they are worse off under Trump’s economic policies compared to 28 percent in January. It was conducted March 24-26 among 2,351 U.S. adults and has a 2.5 percent margin of error.
President Donald Trump walks towards Marine One on the South Lawn of the White House on March 28, 2025.
President Donald Trump walks towards Marine One on the South Lawn of the White House on March 28, 2025.
Andrew Harnik/Getty Images
What People Are Saying
CNN reporter Andrew Kaczynski, Sunday on X, formerly Twitter: “Some really bad swings on the economy for Trump in the new CBS poll. In January, 42% thought they’d be better off under his policies on the economy. Now just 23% say they are, and 42% say they’re worse off. And almost as many people blame him for inflation now as Biden.”
Fox News cohost Jessica Tarlov, on X in February: “Donald Trump’s and Elon Musk‘s approval ratings are falling right now. Americans are having buyer’s remorse. And you know who is feeling it the most? Republicans facing their constituents at town halls.”
President Donald Trump, Monday on Truth Social: “There will never have been a transformation of a Country like the transformation that is happening, for all to see, in the United States of America. Companies are pouring into our Country at levels never seen before, with Jobs (and Money!) to follow. It is a beautiful thing to watch!”
What Happens Next
Trump’s reciprocal tariffs are set to take effect on Wednesday, April 2—what he’s dubbed “Liberation Day.”