Poll: Slim majority of Americans unhappy with Trump’s job performance, economy

Spread the love

More registered voters disapprove of President Donald Trump’s job performance thus far into his second term than approve, according to a new The Center Square Voters’ Voice Poll.

Of the 2,659 registered voters surveyed nationally, 52% disapprove of his job performance, while 46% approve.

And while the president’s approval rating remains high among Republicans – and reaches nearly 90% among those who voted for him in the most recent presidential election – the president isn’t performing well among true independents. True independents are registered independents who don’t lean Republican or Democrat, and are often considered the deciding factor in elections. Sixty-five percent of true independents are unhappy with Trump’s performance, with just 24% approving and 7% indicating they strongly approve.

The Center Square Voters’ Voice Poll was conducted by Noble Predictive Insights between March 2-5, 2026. The poll sample included 2,659 respondents, comprised of 952 Republicans, 934 Democrats, and 773 Independents, of which 330 are True Independents, which Noble Predictive refers to as independents who, when asked if they leaned toward one of the major parties, chose neither. It is among the most comprehensive tracking polls in the country.

Respondents were also asked separately whether they approved or disapproved of the president’s handling of the economy.

As the economy remains the top issue for voters, responses typically differed by 3% or less, if at all, from Trump’s approval overall. For example, 54% of men polled approved of Trump’s performance so far, compared to just 39% of women. When asked solely about the economy, the percentage for men remained the same, and the percentage of women dipped slightly to 36%.

When it comes to respondents’ level of education, Trump polled best on the economy among those with a post-graduate degree – though the difference between groups was only slight – with 48% indicating they approved. He polled five points lower with college graduates at 43% and four points lower with those who had completed some college or less, at 44%.

He polled higher with whites than with hispanics, latinos or blacks and lower with suburban and urban voters than rural voters, both on the economy and overall. Regionally, the South showed the strongest support for the president, with 50% indicating they approved of his job performance. His approval rating across the West, Midwest and Northeast was virtually the same, at 43%, 44% and 44%.

The president’s overall approval ratings for job performance and the economy remain virtually unchanged from about a year ago when the same questions were posed to 2,500 voters in a Voters’ Voice Poll.

The poll’s margin of error is +/- 1.9%.

Leave a Comment





Latest News Stories

Trump says US troops will get paid Oct. 15 despite funding lapse

Trump says US troops will get paid Oct. 15 despite funding lapse

By Brett RowlandThe Center Square President Donald Trump said Saturday that America's 1.3 million military service members will get paid on Oct. 15 despite a congressional budget lapse that led...
$4.5B awarded in new contracts to build Smart Wall along southwest border

$4.5B awarded in new contracts to build Smart Wall along southwest border

By Bethany BlankleyThe Center Square Roughly $4.5 billion in contracts have been awarded to expand border wall construction, including adding advanced technological surveillance along the southwest border. Ten new construction...
Do No Harm expects FTC to take action to protect minors from transgender procedures

Do No Harm expects FTC to take action to protect minors from transgender procedures

By Tate MillerThe Center Square (The Center Square ) – After submitting comments to the Federal Trade Commission's public inquiry on how the child transgender industry has harmed and deceived...
2024 was deadliest year for journalists on record

2024 was deadliest year for journalists on record

By Bethany BlankleyThe Center Square Last year was the deadliest year for journalists on record, with the Gaza Strip being the deadliest location, according to multiple reports. Totals vary depending...
Govt shutdown raises concerns over national security

Govt shutdown raises concerns over national security

By Andrew RiceThe Center Square As partisan divides appear to deepen and prolong the partial government shutdown, bipartisan lawmakers said they are concerned about national security effects of the funding...
Ex-speaker Madigan to begin 7.5-year prison sentence Monday

Ex-speaker Madigan to begin 7.5-year prison sentence Monday

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – One day before the Illinois General Assembly’s fall veto session is scheduled to begin, one of the...
Meeting Briefs

Meeting Summary and Briefs: Casey Township Library Board of Trustees for September 4, 2025

Casey Township Library Board of Trustees Meeting | September 4, 2025 The Casey Township Library Board took a major step toward a future expansion on Thursday, September 4, 2025, by...
Screenshot 2025-10-08 at 9.40.44 AM

Casey to Demolish Dilapidated Downtown Building for $42,120

Article Summary: The Casey City Council has awarded a $42,120 contract to Dirt Work Incorporated for the demolition of a dangerous and unsafe building at 204 S. Central. The city...
Trump says new 100% tariff on China as trade war escalates

Trump says new 100% tariff on China as trade war escalates

By Brett RowlandThe Center Square President Donald Trump on Friday said imports from China will face a new 100% tariff "over and above" existing import taxes on the world's second-largest...
Arizona congressman calls for end to government shutdown

Arizona congressman calls for end to government shutdown

By Chris WoodwardThe Center Square U.S. Rep. Abe Hamadeh, R-Arizona, wants Democrats to “come to their senses” and end the government shutdown. Hamadeh told The Center Square that Democrats’ reasons...

WATCH: Pritzker continues encouraging ICE protests after Guard blocked

By Greg Bishop | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – With the National Guard’s deployment in Illinois for public safety blocked by a federal judge, Gov. J.B....
Illinois quick hits: Ag incentives announced; Cook County announces increased budget

Illinois quick hits: Ag incentives announced; Cook County announces increased budget

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square Ag incentives announced The Illinois Environmental Protection Agency and the Illinois Department of Agriculture have announced $67 million in funding to...
Former board member expressed concerns about indicted DeKalb superintendent

Former board member expressed concerns about indicted DeKalb superintendent

By Kim Jarrett | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – A former DeKalb County School Board member told The Center Square in 2023 she had concerns about...
Fiscal Fallout: Illinois has among highest-paid state employees

Fiscal Fallout: Illinois has among highest-paid state employees

By Jared Strong | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – The average wages for Illinois state employees are among the highest in the nation and belie the...
Report: State reliance on federal funds up significantly since 1990s

Report: State reliance on federal funds up significantly since 1990s

By Tate MillerThe Center Square States rely on federal dollars more than they have in modern history, according to a new report, with one of the report’s authors saying such...