President Donald Trump’s approval rating has fallen to 35 percent in a new CNN/SSRS poll, marking one of the lowest points of his current term as voters head into the midterm elections less than six months away.
The survey, conducted from April 30 to May 4 among 1,499 adults with a margin of error of plus or minus 2.8 percentage points, found that 77 percent of respondents believe the president’s policies have increased their cost of living. Disapproval of Trump’s handling of healthcare reached 65 percent, the highest level recorded for any president this century and above the previous peaks of 63 percent for both Barack Obama and George W. Bush.
Overall economic sentiment remains negative despite gains on Wall Street. Seventy percent disapprove of Trump’s handling of the economy, 74 percent disapprove of his approach to inflation, and 79 percent disapprove of his handling of gas prices, according to the poll.
The economy and cost of living now rank as the top issues for 55 percent of respondents, up from 42 percent in January. “The disconnect between Wall Street gains and public sentiment presents a defining challenge for the president,” the report noted.
Polling averages compiled as of May 15 show Trump with negative ratings across major trackers. RealClearPolitics reports 40.3 percent approval and 56.5 percent disapproval, while Silver Bulletin shows 38.5 percent approval and 58.3 percent disapproval.
Despite those numbers, the S&P 500 has risen 8.02 percent year to date, the Dow Jones has gained 2.36 percent, and the Nasdaq has surged 15.55 percent. Voters, however, continue to express deep concern over daily expenses.
On party trust, Americans give Democrats a slight edge on the economy at 35 percent to 33 percent for Republicans. The gap widens on healthcare costs, where Democrats lead 43 percent to 24 percent.
Trump’s policy approval has hit record lows as most Americans report rising costs and weak economic sentiment, according to the Benzinga summary of the findings. The data arrives at a critical juncture for Republicans defending seats in the House and Senate.
Officials in both parties have pointed to different explanations for the sour mood. Democrats argue that recent tariff policies and spending decisions have driven up prices, while Republicans counter that global supply chain issues and lingering effects from previous administrations remain the primary drivers.
The poll underscores how pocketbook concerns continue to dominate voter priorities even as major stock indexes post solid gains. Analysts say the gap between market performance and household sentiment could shape campaign messaging through November.
With the midterms approaching, both parties are preparing strategies centered on economic messaging. Democrats plan to highlight cost-of-living data, while Republicans intend to emphasize job growth and market gains.
Additional surveys from other organizations have shown similar trends in economic dissatisfaction, though exact figures vary by pollster. The CNN/SSRS results provide one of the most detailed snapshots available at this stage of the election cycle.