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

Pritzker says federal 'thuggery' prompted lawsuit; Trump says public wants Guard

Pritzker says federal ‘thuggery’ prompted lawsuit; Trump says public wants Guard

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – The state of Illinois is suing President Donald Trump, cabinet officials and the U.S. Army for deploying...
Debate erupts over federal worker firings as shutdown looms

Debate erupts over federal worker firings as shutdown looms

By Catrina Barker | The Center Square contributorThe Center Square (The Center Square) – An Illinois congressman criticizes firing federal workers during a shutdown as unfair, while supporters say it’s...
Union sues Feds over claims of partisan automatic emails

Union sues Feds over claims of partisan automatic emails

By Esther WickhamThe Center Square The nation's largest federal workers' union sued the Trump administration, accusing it of violating employees' free speech rights by rewriting their out-of-office emails to blame...
Police superintendent: Chicago cops will keep peace amid ICE protests

Police superintendent: Chicago cops will keep peace amid ICE protests

By Greg BishopThe Center Square Chicago Police Superintendent Larry Snelling said he’s going to review an “ICE-free zone” executive order issued Monday by Mayor Brandon Johnson, but police will assist...
U.S. Rep. Jared Golden draws progressive challenger in Maine

U.S. Rep. Jared Golden draws progressive challenger in Maine

By Chris WadeThe Center Square Democratic Rep. Jared Golden has drawn a primary challenger from the party's progressive wing, which could complicate Democrats' efforts to win back the House in...
Judge declines to immediately block Guard deployment in Illinois

Judge declines to immediately block Guard deployment in Illinois

By Dan McCalebThe Center Square A federal judge on Monday declined to immediately block President Donald Trump's deployment of the National Guard to Chicago to address violence in the city....
WATCH: Judge blocks California National Guard in Portland

WATCH: Judge blocks California National Guard in Portland

By Dave MasonThe Center Square President Donald Trump, for now, can’t deploy 300 federalized California National Guard troops to Portland, Ore., under a temporary restraining order issued by a federal...
Shutdown having 'ripple effect' on U.S. airline systems, DOT says

Shutdown having ‘ripple effect’ on U.S. airline systems, DOT says

By Thérèse BoudreauxThe Center Square The ongoing government shutdown is straining America’s airlines and air traffic controllers, Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy said Monday, and the longer it drags on, the...
Maryland Supreme Court appears skeptical of climate change lawsuit

Maryland Supreme Court appears skeptical of climate change lawsuit

By Andrew RiceThe Center Square Maryland Supreme Court justices seemed skeptical during oral arguments Monday in a lawsuit filed by three local governments against oil and gas companies over alleged...
Broadview limits 'aggressive' ICE protesters time; Chicago makes 'ICE free zone'

Broadview limits ‘aggressive’ ICE protesters time; Chicago makes ‘ICE free zone’

By Greg Bishop | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Designated protest times are being ordered by the mayor of Broadview, Illinois, after chaotic protests this past...
Trump set to talk trade with Canada in Tuesday meeting

Trump set to talk trade with Canada in Tuesday meeting

By Brett RowlandThe Center Square President Donald Trump is set to talk trade with Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney on Tuesday during a working meeting in Washington D.C. The two...
Illinois GOP backs student privacy complaint against ISU

Illinois GOP backs student privacy complaint against ISU

By Catrina Barker | The Center Square contributorThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Illinois Republicans are backing a former candidate, Desi Anderson’s, complaint to the U.S. Department of Education...
Illinois announces lawsuit against Trump admin for use of Guard

Illinois announces lawsuit against Trump admin for use of Guard

By Greg BishopThe Center Square The state of Illinois is seeking a temporary restraining order against the Trump administration for plans to deploy the Illinois and Texas National Guard to...
Illinois quick hits: Lawsuit filed over Guard deployment; 3 charged for using vehicles to impede ICE

Illinois quick hits: Lawsuit filed over Guard deployment; 3 charged for using vehicles to impede ICE

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square Lawsuit filed over Guard deployment Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul has filed a lawsuit challenging what he calls the Trump administration’s...
Negotiations continue in Israel-Hamas peace deal

Negotiations continue in Israel-Hamas peace deal

By Sarah Roderick-FitchThe Center Square Negotiating continues as the freedom of over 40 Israeli hostages lies on the line, a week after President Donald Trump welcomed Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin...