President Donald Trump just hit a milestone he won’t be bragging about: for the first time in his second term, a Republican-leaning poll shows more Americans disapprove of his job performance than approve.
This shift isn’t just symbolic — it could spell real political consequences for a president already facing criticism over his economic agenda, mounting inflation fears, and deepening divisions ahead of the midterms.
Even Conservative Pollsters Are Turning
Rasmussen Reports, a polling firm often cited by conservatives, now shows Trump with a 49% approval rating and 50% disapproval as of April 4 — the first net-negative result of his second term from this source. Just a day earlier, Trump’s approval dropped below the 50% mark, a threshold he had managed to stay above until now.
Here’s what Rasmussen shows:
“As of April 4, Trump’s approval rating is 49%, with 50% disapproving — a net negative for the first time in his second term.”
— Rasmussen Reports, Daily Tracker
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Rasmussen isn’t alone. Newsweek’s aggregate of the 10 latest polls puts Trump at 47% approval and 49% disapproval, showing a clear downward trend. For context, those numbers were reversed back in early March.
The Right-Wing Polling Collapse
Other right-leaning pollsters tell a similar story. RMG Research’s latest poll (March 26–April 3) found Trump at 51% approval, down from 52% last month and within the margin of error (+/-1.8 points). TIPP Insights, another conservative outlet, reports Trump underwater with a net -1 approval rating (44% approve, 45% disapprove).
“Trump’s approval has dropped from +5 in January to -1 in late March.”
— TIPP Insights, March 28
Even Marquette University Law School, which maintains a more neutral tone, shows Trump at 46% approval and 54% disapproval — a swing from 48% approval in January. And Reuters/Ipsos shows Trump at just 43% approval, his lowest since returning to office in January 2025.
Disapproval Fueled by Economic Anxiety
Much of the shift appears tied to growing concern about Trump’s economic agenda, particularly his aggressive use of tariffs. A recent Marquette poll found that 58% of Americans believe Trump’s tariffs are hurting the economy, and the same number fear his policies will worsen inflation.
“Goldman Sachs warned that Trump’s tariffs could raise inflation by 1% and squeeze company profits.”
— Goldman Sachs analysis cited in multiple reports
These fears are cutting into Trump’s core appeal as a business-savvy leader. The data suggests his economic strategy is backfiring, especially among independents and moderates.
Trump Trails Biden at the Same Point
It’s worth noting that Trump’s current standing pales compared to Joe Biden’s approval at this point in his presidency. According to RealClearPolitics, Biden stood at 54% approval and 42% disapproval on April 5, 2021.
On the other hand, Trump started his second term in January 2025 with a Gallup-measured 47% approval — making him the least popular president to begin a second term since modern polling began.
“Trump is the only post-WWII president to start a term with an approval rating below 50%.”
— Gallup, Jan 2025
Where It Goes From Here
Trump’s sagging approval numbers could make it harder for him to whip votes in Congress or maintain party unity heading into a contentious midterm cycle. While MAGA loyalists remain vocal, broader public support seems to be slipping—even among the usually friendly pollsters.
With economic frustration rising and no pivot in sight, Trump may find his biggest enemy isn’t the left — but reality. Let me know if you want this adapted for social media or expanded with more graphics/poll breakdowns.
Featured image via screengrab
