The mood across the United States is growing increasingly uneasy. Rising grocery bills, ballooning household debt, record-high rent, and unrelenting inflation are no longer just abstract figures—they’re the daily reality for millions of Americans. Every trip to the supermarket and every glance at a shrinking bank balance reinforces the sense that something is wrong. At the center of this turbulence stands President Donald J. Trump, whose economic stewardship is now under sharper scrutiny than ever before.

Once hailed by his supporters as the architect of economic revival, Trump now finds himself facing a grim shift in public opinion. A new wave of polling suggests that the glow of earlier successes has dimmed in the face of persistent struggles. Trade tensions, aggressive policy decisions, and a growing disconnect between campaign promises and lived experiences have converged to erode the confidence many once placed in him.

[Section 1 – The Numbers That Broke Through]
Two major polls released this week capture the seriousness of the shift. A Reuters/Ipsos survey recorded Trump’s approval rating at 40%, his lowest since his second inauguration. A separate Gallup poll placed him even lower, at 37%. While not unprecedented by historical standards, these figures underscore a steady decline that has rattled his advisers and energized his critics.

The erosion becomes more striking when broken down by demographics. Men and working-class independents—once cornerstones of Trump’s political base—are now showing signs of discontent. These are the very voters who propelled him into office on promises of economic strength and stability. Their wavering support signals that frustration is cutting across traditional partisan lines, making the path to recovery far more complicated.

Morning Consult, in partnership with the Century Foundation, echoed similar findings. Their survey revealed rising disapproval not just of Trump’s handling of the economy but of his leadership style more broadly. Respondents cited a lack of empathy and an impression that the administration was out of touch with everyday struggles. For many households, the sense of being left behind has become more personal than political.

Taken together, these polls point to a deeper vulnerability. Economic anxiety has become a defining force, and Trump’s ability to navigate it will shape not only his political legacy but also the nation’s confidence in its future. Numbers alone may not topple a presidency, but when they reflect lived hardship, they can become a powerful verdict.