Trump Approval Slips — But His Republican Base Refuses to Budge
A new Pew Research Center poll finds President Donald Trump’s approval rating at 38%, down from 41% two months ago — but the data shows his Republican base remains loyal despite relentless media attacks, partisan investigations, and rising economic pressures.
According to the survey, the decline is linked to criticism of Trump’s tariff policies and mixed opinions on the sweeping tax-and-spending bill he signed earlier this summer — legislation that extended his first-term tax cuts, expanded relief for working families, and implemented cuts to Medicaid to rein in federal spending.
Tariffs and Tax Cuts Stir Debate
Out of 3,554 adults surveyed, 61% disapproved of the administration’s tariff policies, citing higher prices on everyday goods. The reaction to the so-called “Big Beautiful Bill” was split: 46% opposed it, 32% supported it, and 23% remained undecided.
Despite these criticisms, nearly half of Americans — 47% — said they were “somewhat confident” in Trump’s ability to negotiate stronger trade deals, while 46% expressed confidence in his handling of immigration, a defining issue of his presidency.
Epstein Case Handling Fuels Distrust
One bipartisan point of concern was the handling of federal documents related to disgraced financier Jeffrey Epstein. Seven in ten Americans believe the case was mishandled. Even among Republicans, 53% disapproved of the government’s handling, while 44% approved.
Overall, 63% of Americans say they do not trust the official federal narrative on the Epstein files — highlighting growing distrust in Washington’s political establishment.
Republican Support Still Solid
When asked about Trump’s impact on the federal government, 53% of respondents said he was making it worse, while 27% said he was making it better. Among Republicans, support remains resilient: 55% believe Trump is improving the government — compared to 76% shortly after his inauguration.
Democrat hostility toward Trump has grown even stronger. In 2017, 78% said he was making the government worse. Now that number has surged to 87%.
Base Loyalty Holds Strong Despite Approval Dip
While Trump’s approval among 2016 voters dipped from 95% in February to 85% today, his base remains one of the strongest in modern political history. Pew’s findings suggest that despite economic pressures, tariff debates, and media-driven controversies, President Trump continues to command unwavering loyalty from millions who support his America First agenda.
