U.S. President Donald Trump’s popularity has slipped to the lowest point of his second term. A new survey conducted by Reuters and Ipsos shows his approval rating has dropped to 38 percent, meaning just over a third of Americans approve of the way he is leading the country.
This is the weakest rating Trump has recorded since winning re-election, signaling growing dissatisfaction with his leadership. The findings also suggest that the Republican Party’s hold on public support is gradually weakening.
Rising Inflation Fuels Public Frustration
The four-day Reuters–Ipsos survey points to inflation as a major reason behind Trump’s declining approval. Early in his second term, Trump raised tariff rates and tightened import rules, including intensifying a trade fight with China.
Those decisions drove up the prices of essential goods across the United States, creating frustration especially among middle-class households. Only 26 percent of respondents said Trump is handling the rising cost of living effectively — a drop of three points from earlier this month.
Reuters reported that 65 percent of people surveyed were dissatisfied with his approach to inflation and noted that price levels have climbed to some of the highest points in U.S. history during his presidency. In response to heavy criticism, Trump lowered tariffs last week on items such as coffee, meat, bananas, and other basic goods.
Epstein Scandal Adds to Political Pressure
Trump is also under renewed scrutiny over his past relationship with Jeffrey Epstein. Epstein, once considered a close associate of the president, died in prison while serving a sentence for trafficking minors for sexual exploitation. For years, Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell were linked to arranging underage girls for powerful and wealthy individuals.
A few months ago, The Wall Street Journal published new information about Trump’s connection to Epstein, including a birthday message Trump reportedly sent to him on his 50th birthday. The report drew criticism both publicly and within the Republican Party.
Recently released emails written by Epstein and referencing Trump have raised further questions, with several international outlets reporting that the messages offer grounds to suspect Trump may have been treated as one of Epstein’s “clients.” Reuters noted that the controversy has further damaged his popularity.
In a related survey, only 20 percent of respondents said Trump handled the Epstein issue well, while 44 percent said he did not. Another 70 percent believed the Trump administration withheld information about Epstein’s clients — including 87 percent of Democrats and 60 percent of Republicans.
Although Trump had previously said he would release Justice Department files related to Epstein, the documents remained undisclosed for a long period. As pressure increased, he instructed Republican lawmakers to support legislation to make the records public.
Support Drops Within the Republican Base
Reuters also reported that Trump’s overall approval has fallen by nine points from earlier levels. Just months into his second term, he held an approval rating of 47 percent. During his first term, his lowest rating was about 33 percent, which is two points lower than former President Joe Biden’s lowest approval rating of 35 percent.
The survey shows Trump’s popularity has slipped even among Republican voters. Support within the party has dropped from 87 percent to 82 percent. For a politician known for surviving major controversies, this marks a significant decline in internal support.
Independent strategist Mike Onstad described the situation as the most serious test of Trump’s second term, warning that the decline could further weaken Republicans in the upcoming congressional elections.
