New Polls Reveal Major Warning Signs for Trump’s Agenda and Approval Ratings

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Alexis N. Crockett
February 23, 2025
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8 minutes read

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WASHINGTON, D.C. — Newly released data reveals shifting American attitudes toward President Donald Trump, with a Washington Post columnist highlighting a glaring “warning sign” for his agenda’s future. Aaron Blake wrote in The Washington Post on Thursday that Trump’s approval ratings are stabilizing in the mid-40s but that recent polls indicate troubling trends for his administration.

While Trump’s overall approval numbers have dipped, Blake noted that “most of his big policies are political losers.” The most significant concerns revolve around economic policies, particularly public reaction to tariffs and their impact on consumer prices.

Since announcing his tariffs, Trump’s economic team has attempted to convince Americans that they are not taxes—but this messaging has failed, Blake wrote. “The CNN poll shows Americans oppose his tariffs on aluminum and steel by 15 points (49-34), while the Post-Ipsos poll shows nearly 2-to-1 opposition to his 25 percent tariffs on goods from Mexico and Canada.

About 7 in 10 Americans think tariffs generally increase the price of products in the United States,” Blake reported. Additionally, Trump’s widespread firing of federal workers is also unpopular. The Washington Post poll shows that 58% of Americans oppose the measure, compared to 39% in favor, while 62% specifically disapprove of the purge of USAID employees.

Donald Trump Photos — Photo Credit: Getty Images

Public sentiment is similarly negative regarding Elon Musk’s role in Trump’s administration. A nearly 2-to-1 margin of respondents viewed his involvement as a “bad idea.” CNN’s poll showed a 54-28% opposition, while the Washington Post recorded 52-26% against. Meanwhile, 63% of Americans are concerned about Musk’s team having access to private information.

However, the most significant red flag concerns perceptions of Trump’s handling of the economy. His approval rating on economic issues has hit its lowest point since 2017. The Washington Post reported that 53% of Americans disapprove of his economic management, with only 45% expressing approval.

The Reuters poll shows him at just 39% approval on economic matters, while CNN found that 62% believe Trump isn’t doing enough to curb rising consumer prices. Moreover, Trump faces minimal public support for other controversial policies.

Only 13% back his pardons of violent Jan. 6 attackers and 58% of Americans oppose banning transgender individuals from military service. With public dissatisfaction mounting across key policy areas, these poll numbers suggest growing obstacles for Trump’s administration as it moves forward.