Donald Trump approval rating: March 12 update as unease over economy grows

President Donald Trump‘s approval and disapproval ratings both currently stand at 48 percent, according to an average calculated by Newsweek.

It comes as polls have shown Trump’s approval rating declining, suggesting this may be due to dissatisfaction with his handling of the economy.

Why It Matters

Trump’s approval rating is a key indicator of his political strength as he navigates his second term and prepares for future policy battles.

A shift in his numbers could influence support from Republican lawmakers, affect his ability to push through his agenda, and shape the political landscape heading into the midterm election cycle.

What To Know

Newsweek’s average of the 10 most recent polls found that Trump has both an approval and disapproval rating of 48 percent.

Recent polls have consistently shown Trump’s approval rating declining, with one poll last week showing that his net approval rating turned negative for the first time since returning to the White House.

An Emerson College survey (March 8-10) found 47 percent approval and 45 percent disapproval, down from 48 percent to 43 percent in early March. Similarly, a Trafalgar Group/InsiderAdvantage poll (March 5) showed 50 percent approval, a drop from 54 percent in February. Both polls have a margin of error around 3 percentage points.

Trump’s highest approval rating in recent days came from two polls: Rasmussen Reports and CBS News, with both showing 51 percent approval.

In the Rasmussen poll, conducted between February 26 and March 4 among 1,500 likely voters, 47 percent disapproved. In the CBS News poll, conducted between February 26 and 28 among 2,311 adults, 49 percent disapproved.

Meanwhile, his lowest approval rating came from the latest Reuters/Ipsos poll—conducted from March 3 to 4 among 1,174 adults—in which 44 percent approved of his performance, while 51 percent disapproved. His highest disapproval rating came in the latest CNN poll, conducted from March 6 to 9 among 1,206 U.S. adults in which 54 percent of respondents said they disapproved of his job performance, while 45 percent said they approve.

Polls have recently indicated that Trump’s declining popularity could be due to dissatisfaction with his handling of the economy and foreign policy.

In the latest Emerson College poll, Trump’s disapproval rating was highest on the U.S. economy, with 48 percent disapproving of his performance and 37 percent approving. Similarly, CNN’s poll showed that 56 percent of respondents disapprove of his handling of the economy, while 44 percent approved.

But respondents were most dissatisfied with Trump’s handling of tariffs, with 61 percent of respondents saying they disapproved of the job Trump is doing, while only 39 percent approved. It comes after Trump went ahead with plans to put additional tariffs on goods from Canada, Mexico and China this week in a move that could lead to a rise in inflation. Goldman Sachs previously estimated these tariffs could increase inflation by 1 percent while squeezing U.S. company profits and risking retaliatory measures from other nations. Canada is set to announce billions of dollars of retaliatory tariffs in response.

According to a Labor Department report, inflation is already hitting the economy, with January seeing the largest consumer price increase in nearly 18 months, though other indicators show inflation is falling more recently.

Meanwhile, the latest Reuters/Ipsos poll showed that 37 percent of respondents approved of the way Trump was handling foreign policy, while 50 percent disapproved, giving the president a net approval rating of minus 13 points.

That figure was down from January, when the pollsters found Trump had a net approval rating of plus two points on foreign policy.

The latest CNN poll showed 58 percent of respondents disapproved of Trump’s handling of foreign policy, while 42 percent approved.

On February 28, the president had a heated confrontation with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, which resulted in Trump pausing military aid to Ukraine. On Tuesday, Trump announced that a 30 day ceasefire had been agreed with Ukraine after U.S.-Ukraine talks were held in Saudi Arabia. Trump told reporters at the White House he would speak to Russian President Vladimir Putin, who would “hopefully” agree to the deal.

Donald Trump’s Approval Rating Over Time

Trump’s approval rating has remained steady throughout the past week, at 48 percent, peaking at 49 percent on March 6, according to Newsweek’s average.

His disapproval rate has also remained at 48 percent, hitting a low of 47 percent on March 6.

How Donald Trump’s Approval Rating Compares to Joe Biden’s

Trump’s 48 percent approval rating is lower than Joe Biden‘s popularity at the same point in his presidency on March 12, 2021, when he had an approval rating of 52 percent and a disapproval rating of 42 percent, according to RealClearPolitics.

Polls released in the days following Trump’s inauguration showed his popularity at an all-time high. However, he was still the least popular president in recent times.

For example, according to Gallup’s first poll of Trump’s second presidency, conducted between January 21 and 27, he had an initial approval rating of 47 percent. The pollster said this figure made him less popular than any other president since 1953 at the start of their presidential term, and the only one to begin with a sub-50 percent approval rating. According to Gallup, Biden began his first term with a 57 percent approval rating.

How Donald Trump’s Approval Rating Compares to First Term

Trump is also less popular now than he was at the same point in his first term.

The RealClearPolitics tracker shows that on March 12, 2017, 51 days into Trump’s first term, his approval rating stood at 49 percent, while his disapproval rating stood at 45 percent.

What Happens Next

Trump’s approval rating is likely to fluctuate in the coming weeks depending on the outcome of key events, including critical negotiations on the Russia-Ukraine war, the growing tariff battle with countries such as Canada, and concerns about a U.S. recession.

Newsweek will update Trump’s average approval rating every week.