President Donald Trump is facing a sharp decline in support following his controversial tariff policies, with a new poll showing his approval sinking to new lows. As the economic fallout from the tariffs grows, discussions about impeachment are beginning to gain traction.
Last week’s stock market crash is just the latest sign that Trump’s economic policies are failing. A breakdown of the numbers on CNN showed that 53 percent of Americans think the economy is getting worse, up from just 42 percent when Trump won re-election. More Americans are now blaming Trump than former President Joe Biden for the economic mess.
This is what experts are calling “the worst poll Donald Trump has received in his second term.” A full 54 percent of voters say Trump is most responsible for the economic downturn, while only 21 percent still blame Biden.
“Donald Trump may try to blame Joe Biden, and maybe that was working a month ago, but since the trade war began, it’s not working anymore,” Enten said. “Americans are not buying what Donald Trump is selling them.”
This growing dissatisfaction is evident even among Trump’s base. Although 85 percent of Republicans still support him, that’s a drop from 91 percent before the tariff announcement. His disapproval rating among conservatives has jumped from 9 percent to 14 percent, signaling a shift in sentiment even within his party.
The discontent is largely driven by Trump’s tariffs. A new poll shows 58 percent of voters oppose the tariffs, a sharp increase from 46 percent in January. “The clear majority oppose these new tariffs,” Enten pointed out, calling it a “switcheroo.”
Trump’s approval rating has also taken a hit in the wake of his trade policies. Sixty-three percent of Americans disapprove of his handling of trade and tariffs, including 72 percent of independents and 12 percent of Republicans. “He’s underwater for the first time,” Enten said, noting that Trump’s approval has slipped from +6 in February to -6 this week. “The trend line is so important here, and it looks like the American people are turning against Donald Trump.”
As Trump’s popularity wanes, the possibility of impeachment is gaining traction. A columnist for the Wall Street Journal recently predicted, “A future Trump impeachment seemed all but guaranteed by last Wednesday morning. It seems only slightly less likely now. It may even be desirable to restore America’s standing with creditors and trade partners.”
While the focus on impeachment is still early, the growing frustration with Trump’s policies is undeniable. If the president doesn’t turn things around soon, his chances of facing serious consequences—political or legal—could increase.
In the midst of all this, Trump still has one ally in his inner circle facing even worse fallout: Elon Musk. After joining Trump’s administration as head of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), Musk has seen his approval ratings plummet. A recent YouGov poll shows 53 percent of Americans now view Musk unfavorably, up from 48 percent in January. Democrats are now eyeing Musk as a potential target for the 2026 midterms, hoping to use his unpopularity to their advantage in tight races.
“Musk could serve as a powerful ‘bonus bogeyman’ for Democrats, particularly in tight races across the House, Senate, and state-level contests,” said pollster Adam Carlson. “Musk is so electorally toxic that just the idea of him might be enough.”
