Trump Approval Much Higher Than the Media Implies

We have been bombarded by commentary that Trump has taken a serious hit in the polls, and that his voters are suffering from “buyer’s remorse.” 

I can’t tell you the number of times I have seen “influencers” tell stories about Trump voters coming up to them and confessing that they regret voting for Trump, and if you watch Pravda Media, they keep pounding the idea that Trump is destroying the economy and that he has betrayed his voters. 

The problem with that Narrative™ is that it doesn’t really accord with reality. The economy has done surprisingly well, with growth in jobs and income outperforming expectations, and inflation still coming down despite predictions. The one area that Trump seems to be struggling with is voters’ concern about his tariff strategy, where the numbers are much more volatile. 

That’s unsurprising, really, because Trump’s messaging and actions have been less consistent there than elsewhere. Does he want permanent tariffs? Or is he negotiating to reduce them? 

On Wednesday, I wrote about the steady rise in Trump’s approval ratings in recent weeks, and that trend is continuing. 

Income is rising quickly, as is consumer confidence. 

🚨 CNBC: Consumer confidence SURGED in May — far surpassing expectations. pic.twitter.com/CAjHRI8VlN

— Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) May 27, 2025

Along with that is a steady rise in Trump’s approval. He may be taking a beating in the media, but that hasn’t translated into a slide in public opinion. Ordinary people see that the news coverage doesn’t reflect reality

Scott Rasmussen has sent me some of his recent poll numbers–he is polling for Napolitan News Service now, and they are doing weekly polls on Trump’s job approval along with some issues. 

🚨President Trump Job Approval was steady at 49% through Wednesday (3,000 RV)
✅ It bounced to 52% on a single day survey (1,000 RV) following Court rejection of his tariff authority.
✅That bounce likely tied to increased economic optimism when tariffs appeared canceled.
✅Trump… pic.twitter.com/5KLaJZT0vv

— Scott Rasmussen (@ScottWRasmussen) May 30, 2025

President Trump Job Approval was steady at 49% through Wednesday (3,000 RV)

✅ It bounced to 52% on a single day survey (1,000 RV) following Court rejection of his tariff authority.

✅That bounce likely tied to increased economic optimism when tariffs appeared canceled.

✅Trump Approval also bounced a couple of weeks ago when deferral of China tariffs announced.

✅There is a clear connection between tariffs, economic optimism, and Trump approval.

✅When the news is about tariffs disappearing, economic optimism rises. So does Trump approval. 

✅

@NapolitanNews  will measure economic confidence and job approval again on Monday, now that tariff authority has bee restored.

Trade really is driving Trump’s poll numbers. Whether it is because people are responding to the media criticism or have an instinctive understanding that uncertainty is not good for the economy and that tariffs are really taxes is hard to know, but until Trump brings home some more big victories, those numbers will be volatile. I have to say that I keep going back and forth on this issue myself–will his strategy work, or will it be more like his frustrating difficulties negotiating an end to the Ukraine war?

Nobody bats a 1.000. This is a pivotal issue, so success is mandatory. Resolving the Ukraine issue would be very beneficial, but trade negotiations are a key variable in economic success. 

One thing is certain: Trump’s voters are not fleeing him; those stories of regret are BS or confined to one or two individuals in the cultural elite class, so they reflect no trend. 

So, even with the unpleasant bout on “injuctivitis” and the relentless media pounding, Trump still has the confidence of his base.