How’s Trump Doing in the Polls? A Deep Dive into His Approval Ratings and Tariff Impact

President Donald Trump is back at it, pushing tariffs and economic policies in his second term at the White House. After signing what’s been dubbed the "Big Beautiful Bill," he’s stirred a lot of buzz — and not just from political junkies. Americans across the country are weighing in on how they think his tariffs are affecting their wallets and the overall economy. So, what’s the current mood? What do the latest polls say about Trump’s approval rating and how folks feel about tariffs in 2025? Let’s unpack it all.

Trump’s Approval Ratings: Where Does He Stand Today?

First off, you might be wondering: What’s Trump’s approval rating right now? Well, it’s a mixed bag, depending on which poll you look at. Different polling groups paint slightly different pictures, but the overall vibe is pretty consistent — around the low-to-mid 40s for favorable ratings, and over 50% unfavorable.

Here are some of the freshest numbers from a range of polls conducted just in July 2025:

• The Economist Poll (July 11):

  • Favorable: 42%

  • Unfavorable: 54%

  • Unsure: 4%

• Civiqs Poll (July 10):

  • Favorable: 42%

  • Unfavorable: 54%

  • Unsure: 4%

• Rasmussen Poll (July 10):

  • Favorable: 48%

  • Unfavorable: 50%

  • Unsure: 2%

• Navigator Research (July 3):

  • Favorable: 48%

  • Unfavorable: 52%

• NPR/PBS News/Marist Poll (July 1):

  • Favorable: 43%

  • Unfavorable: 52%

  • Unsure: 5%

• Quinnipiac University Poll (June 26):

  • Favorable: 41%

  • Unfavorable: 54%

  • Unsure: 5%

• Reuters/Ipsos Poll (June 21-23):

  • Favorable: 41%

  • Unfavorable: 57%

  • Unsure: 2%

• Gallup Poll (June 3-19):

  • Favorable: 40%

  • Unfavorable: 57%

  • Unsure: 3%

• Fox News Poll (June 13-16):

  • Favorable: 46%

  • Unfavorable: 54%

• Cygnal Poll (June 10):

  • Favorable: 46%

  • Unfavorable: 51%

  • Unsure: 2%

In short, Trump's favorability hovers in the low-to-mid 40s, with unfavorable ratings mostly above 50%. Unsure voters usually hover around 2-5%, meaning a lot of Americans have made up their minds.

The Indiana Angle: Trump’s Approval in the Heartland

While nationwide numbers show a divided picture, some states tell a different story. Take Indiana, for example — a key battleground in the Midwest. According to Civiqs’ daily tracking (July 10):

• Favorable: 55%

• Unfavorable: 41%

• Unsure: 4%

Indiana voters seem more supportive of Trump’s policies than the national average, which could hint at stronger regional approval influenced by local economic factors and political leanings.

Tariffs: What’s the Public Really Thinking?

One of the most talked-about parts of Trump’s agenda this term has been tariffs — taxes on imports meant to protect American jobs and industries. But tariffs don’t just affect businesses; they touch the daily lives of average Americans.

According to the NPR/PBS News/Marist poll (July 7, 2025), here’s how folks feel about tariffs and the economy:

Top Economic Concerns Under Trump:

• Inflation: 42%

• Tariffs: 22%

• Housing costs: 13%

• Job security: 8%

• Interest rates: 6%

• Stock market volatility: 6%

Inflation clearly tops the worry list, but tariffs rank second, showing they’re a significant concern for many.

Tariffs and Personal Finances: How Worried Are Americans?

The tariff debate isn’t just academic; it hits people’s wallets. When asked about how concerned they are about tariffs affecting their personal finances:

• Very concerned: 39%

• Somewhat concerned: 41%

• Not concerned: 20%

That means a whopping 80% of Americans are either somewhat or very worried about tariffs impacting their personal budgets. Pretty telling, right?

Tariffs and the National Economy: The Bigger Picture

Views get even more split when people think about tariffs’ impact on the overall economy.

• 33% believe tariffs have a very negative impact.

• 27% say the impact is somewhat negative.

• 40% believe tariffs have a positive impact.

So, while many Americans see tariffs as a burden, there’s still a solid chunk — 40% — that thinks tariffs are actually helping the economy, likely reflecting the support among industries and workers benefiting from protectionist measures.

Changing Spending Habits Because of Tariffs: The Real Effects

The NPR/PBS News/Marist poll digs deeper into how tariffs are shaping what people buy and how they shop. It turns out tariffs are nudging many Americans to rethink their spending.

Here’s what respondents said about their purchasing behavior due to tariffs (multiple answers allowed):

• Shopping around for the best deals: 45%

• Holding off on big purchases: 34%

• Shopping more at discount or big-box stores: 28%

• Supporting small businesses more often: 20%

• Buying more now in anticipation of price hikes: 17%

• Buying in bulk: 16%

• Not changing their behavior at all: 19%

This shows a clear pattern — tariffs are influencing some to delay big buys or hunt for bargains, while others are stocking up before prices climb.

Tariffs and Economic Uncertainty: Lifestyle Changes

Economic uncertainty often spills over into lifestyle choices. Thanks to tariffs, many Americans report cutting back on various activities:

• Eating out less: 52%

• Spending less on clothes: 48%

• Cutting back on travel: 39%

• Attending fewer social events: 32%

• No change in spending habits: 25%

It’s eye-opening that over half the population is eating out less due to economic concerns linked to tariffs. It highlights just how far-reaching tariff impacts have become.

What Are Americans Holding Back On? A Look at Spending Cuts

When it comes to what people are avoiding or delaying buying, the list is pretty broad:

• Entertainment: 48%

• Clothing: 45%

• Technology: 39%

• Furniture and appliances: 37%

• Cars and transportation: 30%

• Toys and games: 29%

• Groceries and household supplies: 28%

• Beauty and wellness products: 28%

• No cutbacks at all: 18%

Almost half the people say they’ve cut back on entertainment and clothing, showing that tariffs’ ripple effects reach well beyond just imported goods — they affect the whole spending ecosystem.

What Does This All Mean?

President Trump’s second term sees him doubling down on tariffs as part of his economic strategy. But the polling data shows a country that’s mixed in its feelings. While a significant chunk of Americans see tariffs as protective and positive, many others are feeling the pinch — worrying about inflation, adjusting how and where they shop, and even dialing back on dining and entertainment.

Key takeaways:

• Trump’s approval rating nationally hovers around the low 40s, with over half disapproving.

• Regional support varies — states like Indiana show stronger approval.

• Tariffs are a top economic concern and affect personal finances for most Americans.

• Many consumers are changing their buying habits, hunting deals, delaying big purchases, or shopping at discount stores.

• Economic uncertainty tied to tariffs is causing real lifestyle changes — less dining out, less travel, and fewer social outings.

• Spending cutbacks span a wide range of categories, impacting many industries.

What’s Next?

As the 2025 election cycle heats up, these approval numbers and economic concerns will be crucial. Will Trump's tariff strategy pay off by protecting American industries and jobs? Or will economic unease and cutbacks drag down public support? The polls tell a story of a country still divided — and the months ahead will be critical to watch.