President Donald Trump’s overall approval rating remains unchanged this week, holding at a net -6.7 percent. While national sentiment shows little movement in overall job performance, new polling reveals a significant dip in public support for the president’s handling of immigration, a core issue of his second-term agenda.
What to know:
Trump’s net approval rating stands at -6.7 percent, with 44.7 percent of Americans approving and 51.4 percent disapproving, per Silver Bulletin.
No major shifts have occurred in weekly polling averages, including those from YouGov and The Economist
Gallup reports just 35 percent of Americans approve of Trump’s immigration policies, with 62 percent disapproving—a net rating of -27, the worst of his second term.
The drop in immigration approval follows mass deportation efforts and controversial ICE raids, including one resulting in the death of a California farmworker.
Despite falling support for immigration, overall conservative backing remains strong and unchanged.
Stay with Newsweek for the latest updates.
11:41 AM EDT
Trump threatens 100% tariffs on Russia over Ukraine war: Report
Trump announced plans to impose “secondary tariffs” of 100 percent on Russia if a peace deal to end the war in Ukraine is not reached within 50 days.
President Trump says he’ll impose “secondary tariffs” on Russia of 100 percent if deal to end the war in Ukraine isn’t reached in 50 days.
— Jared Halpern (@JaredHalpern) July 14, 2025
11:23 AM EDT
Lawmakers weigh in on DOJ’s Epstein memo and Biden’s clemency record
Appearing on CNN News Central, Rep. Mike Lawler (R-NY) dismissed renewed scrutiny of the Justice Department’s handling of the Jeffrey Epstein case, calling it “a colossal waste of time and effort.”
Lawler said that unless new evidence emerges, the controversy amounts to “a lot of nonsense,” and emphasized that the country faces more pressing issues than revisiting the actions of a deceased sex offender.
Meanwhile, Sen. Chris Van Hollen (D-MD) defended former President Biden’s recent clemency decisions, which included pardons for nonviolent drug offenders.
Van Hollen said Biden’s actions were likely based on broader policy concerns about sentencing fairness, though he acknowledged questions remain about the use of an autopen to authorize the pardons. He added that he would “have to take a look” at the issue more closely.
11:01 AM EDT
Trump administration expands third-country deportation powers
U.S. immigration officials may now deport migrants to countries other than their own with as little as six hours’ notice, according to a July 9 memo from ICE acting director Todd Lyons. The policy shift follows a Supreme Court ruling in June that lifted restrictions on such removals, allowing expedited deportations without prior screening for persecution risks.
The memo outlines that migrants can be sent to “third countries” that have pledged not to torture or persecute them, bypassing additional legal procedures. While ICE typically provides 24 hours’ notice, the new rule permits faster removals in “exigent circumstances” if legal counsel is offered.
The Trump administration has already deported migrants from six nations to South Sudan and is pressuring five African countries to accept deportees from elsewhere. Critics, including immigration advocates and legal experts, warn the policy undermines due process and could endanger vulnerable individuals.
10:41 AM EDT
Trump’s push to defund public broadcasting sparks bipartisan concern
President Donald Trump has asked Congress to rescind nearly $1.1 billion in funding for the Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB), the full amount allocated for the next two budget years. The proposal is part of a broader rescissions package targeting public media and foreign aid, and has drawn criticism from both Democrats and Republicans.
CPB distributes more than two-thirds of its funding to over 1,500 local public television and radio stations, with the remainder supporting national programming through NPR and PBS. Lawmakers from rural states have voiced concern about the impact of the cuts, warning that local stations could go dark without federal support.
Senator Mike Rounds (R-S.D.) said the stations are vital for communication in remote areas and serve Native American communities. Office of Management and Budget Director Russ Vought defended the cuts, citing programming he described as politically biased, including a CNN town hall with “Sesame Street” focused on racism.
10:13 AM EDT
Trump’s approval rating dips amid economic and policy concerns
Trump’s approval rating continues to fluctuate midway through the first year of his second term, with recent polling showing a modest decline. According to RealClear Polling’s national average, 46.3 percent of Americans currently approve of Trump’s job performance, while 50.3 percent disapprove.
The drop follows a wave of controversial policy moves, including the passage of the One Big Beautiful Bill and expanded tariffs on Canadian imports. While Trump maintains strong support among Republican voters, his standing has weakened among independents and middle-income earners, particularly in states like Pennsylvania and Michigan.
Polls also show growing concern over inflation, healthcare cuts, and immigration enforcement, with many voters expressing skepticism about the long-term impact of Trump’s economic agenda. Despite the turbulence, Trump’s approval remains higher than at the end of his first term, when it hovered around 34 percent.
09:57 AM EDT
Trump’s approval rating dips amid second-term turbulence
One year after surviving an assassination attempt and six months into his second term, Trump’s approval rating is showing signs of strain. While his overall favorability remains higher than during much of his first term, recent polling reflects growing public unease over his economic policies, immigration enforcement, and foreign affairs.
According to Rasmussen Reports, Trump’s approval stands at 48 percent, down from a high of 56 percent in January. The Economist/YouGov poll places his approval at 42 percent, with 53 percent disapproving. Morning Consult reports a similar dip, with 45 percent approval and 52 percent disapproval.
In Pennsylvania, Trump’s net approval rating is -9 percent, with 52 percent disapproving and 44 percent approving. Younger voters, women, and postgraduates show the strongest opposition, while Republicans remain overwhelmingly supportive.
The president’s recent passage of the One Big Beautiful Bill, aggressive ICE raids, and a bombing campaign in Iran have fueled controversy. As inflation concerns persist and trade tensions escalate, Trump’s standing with key demographics—including middle-class and minority voters—continues to erode.
09:44 AM EDT
Donald Trump’s approval rating changes amid Epstein Files backlash
President Donald Trump speaks to the media, Sunday, July 13, 2025, on arrival to Joint Base Andrews, Md., en route to Washington, after attending the Club World Cup final soccer match in New Jersey.
President Donald Trump speaks to the media, Sunday, July 13, 2025, on arrival to Joint Base Andrews, Md., en route to Washington, after attending the Club World Cup final soccer match in New Jersey.
AP
Donald Trump’s approval rating has dropped in two polls as he faces criticism for his administration’s handling of the Jeffrey Epstein scandal.
The president lost six approval points in a Morning Consult poll and one point in a Napolitan News Service poll between surveys taken last month and this month.
Newsweek has contacted the White House, via email outside of working hours, for comment.
Some Trump supporters feel let down after the president promised full transparency regarding the Epstein case, in particular over an alleged “client list” of people involved in the convicted pedophile’s activities.
In June 2024, Donald Trump pledged to release the Epstein case files if elected president for a second term. Attorney General Pam Bondi fuelled speculation about a client list in February when she announced she would release records related to the case.
But last Monday, the Department of Justice and FBI published a joint statement and 11-hour prison video to support their conclusion that Epstein died by suicide in his New York jail cell in 2019 while awaiting sex trafficking charges. They said he had “no incriminating ‘client list'” and no further disclosure of information was warranted.
This has angered many, including prominent Trump supporters, who say the truth is being covered up and Epstein was murdered to prevent him speaking at his trial about other high-profile individuals involved with his activities.