President Donald Trump is seeing a decline in support for his economic policies, even among Republicans, according to a recent AP-NORC poll.
Republican Support for Trump’s Economy Drops
The poll, conducted from May 14 to 18, 2026, found that 63 percent of Republicans approve of Trump’s handling of the economy, down from 78 percent at the start of his second term. Only 37 percent of Republicans disapproved.
The figures come as inflation rises to 3.8 percent and the Iran war continues toward its third month, raising concerns among Republicans that disapproval could affect the midterm elections.
White House Response
The White House offered a positive outlook in response to the numbers. Spokesperson Kush Desai said, “The American economy has been resilient under President Trump because his economic agenda has a proven track record. Tax cuts, deregulation, and tariffs unleashed historic job, wage, and economic growth during the first Trump term.”
Desai added that as Congress passes more of the President’s healthcare and housing policies, “the best is yet to come in the second Trump term.”
Public Sentiment on the Economy and Other Issues
Overall, 67 percent of Americans disapprove of Trump’s handling of the economy, while only 33 percent approve. Similar dissatisfaction was reflected in opinions on his handling of the Iran war and foreign policy. On immigration, 54 percent of Americans disapproved, while 45 percent approved.
Trump’s overall job approval rating stands at 37 percent, with 62 percent disapproving. Rising costs are a major factor: grocery prices increased 2.9 percent over the year ending in April, while gas prices are up 43 percent from a year ago.
Trump’s Remarks
At a White House event on Tuesday, Trump acknowledged Americans’ frustration but framed it as temporary. Speaking at a congressional picnic, he said the country is “thriving,” “winning,” and “the hottest country in the world.”
“We inherited high prices and we got the prices down, and we got them down to numbers that in some cases people have not seen before,” Trump said. “We have an economy—people aren’t seeing it yet.”
The comments highlight the administration’s attempt to reassure the public amid growing economic concerns and declining support among his own party.
