New poll shows Trump’s economy approval rating sink in key swing state
3 Min Read
Analysts warn that the economic issue, once a key strength for Trump, may now undermine his party’s performance in the 2026 Midterm Elections.
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A couple, wearing protective high-visibility clothing due to hunting season, take a walk at dawn, as trees in the distance turn to fall foliage colors, Tuesday, Oct. 7, 2025, in Chester, New Hampshire (AP)
US President Donald Trump is facing historic disapproval ratings in New Hampshire, particularly concerning his handling of the economy, a trend reflective of a national shift in voter sentiment.
A recent University of New Hampshire (UNH) poll found that Trump's net approval rating on economic issues has dropped by -14 percentage points, marking the lowest level across both of his presidential terms. The poll surveyed 1,402 residents between November 13 and 17, with a margin of error of ±2.6 percentage points.
UNH Survey Center Director Andrew Smith emphasized the gravity of the findings to Newsweek, saying, "Approval of Trump’s handling of the economy is at its lowest in New Hampshire in either his first or second term." He noted that while the 2026 midterm elections remain distant, economic perceptions tend to significantly shape electoral outcomes.
According to the survey, 57% of New Hampshire residents disapprove of Trump's economic management, with 38% citing his tariff policies as the primary reason. Only 42% expressed approval. More broadly, 54% of respondents disapprove of Trump overall, giving him a net approval of -9.
Local decline mirrors national trends
The decline in New Hampshire aligns with broader national polling. A Fox News survey conducted between November 14 and 17 showed Trump's economic approval at just 38%, with 61% disapproving, his lowest score on the economy during his second term. The same poll revealed that 76% of voters view the economy negatively, a figure worse than during the final days of Joe Biden's presidency.
Meanwhile, a YouGov-Economist poll placed Trump's overall approval at 39%, with a disapproval rating of 58%, giving him a net approval of -19. A Reuters-Ipsos poll further underscored public dissatisfaction, revealing that only 38% of Americans approve of Trump's overall job performance.
Notably, the discontent is not limited to opposition voters. Over 40% of Republicans and 2024 Trump voters under age 35 now assign blame to Trump for the state of the economy. A significant portion of these voters feels personally impacted by rising prices and tariffs.
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Bar graph showing Trump's November 2025 approval ratings per major polls (Source: AP, Reuters, Fox News, Nate Silver, The Economist, Gallup; Visualised by Al Mayadeen English)
Economic pledges face scrutiny
Trump's 2024 campaign focused heavily on curbing inflation. However, the majority of Americans believe inflation remains uncontrolled. CBS polling indicates that 75% of voters, including many Republicans, feel Trump is not doing enough to lower prices.
Public skepticism about his tariff strategies has grown. According to Fox News, 63% of voters disapprove of Trump’s tariff policies. Even among Republican voters, over a quarter express dissatisfaction.
Despite this, Trump has dismissed unfavorable polling as politically motivated. In a recent post on Truth Social, he claimed, "So many Fake Polls are being shown by the Radical Left Media, all slanted heavily toward Democrats and Far Left Wingers…Fake News will never change, they are evil and corrupt but, as I look around my beautiful surroundings, I say to myself, 'Oh, look, I’m sitting in the Oval Office!'"
With Republicans holding a slim 219-214 majority in the House of Representatives, slipping support in swing states like New Hampshire could be decisive. Analysts warn that the economic issue, once a key strength for Trump, may now undermine his party’s performance in 2026.
