Trump’s approval rating on the economy sinks to just 32%, as immigration remains a stronger issue for Republicans

Trump’s approval rating on the economy has sunk to just 32%, with even Republicans expressing concerns about the financial strain, as they say they need to get a loan before going grocery shopping. Despite this, immigration remains a stronger issue for the president, with about 8 in 10 Republicans still approving of his handling of the topic. The findings come from a new AP-NORC poll, which highlights the shifting priorities of the American public and the relative stability of Trump’s support within his base.

Immigration remains a stronger issue for Trump than the economy or Iran

While the economy has become a growing concern for many Americans, immigration continues to be a central issue for Trump, particularly among his Republican base. The poll found that only 39% of U.S. adults approve of his performance on immigration, a decline from 49% at the start of his second term. However, this number remains relatively stable among Republicans, who continue to support his approach despite recent controversies. The findings contrast with views of his handling of Iran, where more recent signs of slippage have emerged, even among his own supporters.

Most Americans disapprove of the way ICE is enforcing immigration laws, with about half “strongly” or “somewhat” disapproving. This is in contrast to the strong support from Republicans, who are more likely to approve of ICE’s approach. The divide highlights the partisan nature of the issue, with Democrats and independents expressing significant skepticism about the agency’s methods.

Healthcare remains a weak spot for Trump

Unlike with immigration and the economy, a clear majority of U.S. adults has disapproved of Trump’s performance on healthcare across both presidential terms. Only about 3 in 10 Americans approve of how Trump is handling healthcare, a number that has remained consistent. However, there has been a slight rebound among his own supporters, with roughly 71% of Republicans now approving, compared to 59% in the December poll. This shift comes as Democrats kick off 100 days until the midterm elections, focusing on healthcare cuts, the cost of living, and the war in Iran.

Democrats and independents continue to overwhelmingly disapprove of Trump’s handling of healthcare, underscoring the growing divide between his base and the broader electorate. As the political landscape shifts, Trump’s approval ratings on key issues like the economy and healthcare remain a point of contention, even as immigration continues to be a defining issue for his base. About half of U.S. adults say Trump has “gone too far” on deporting immigrants living in the U.S. illegally, a number that has remained steady for over a year despite aggressive immigration enforcement actions. This includes the use of federal law enforcement in large cities and at least 10 deaths involving encounters with immigration officers since the mass deportation campaign began. Republicans, however, are much less likely to say Trump has overstepped in his immigration enforcement actions, with only about 2 in 10 expressing such concerns.

Most Americans disapprove of the way Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) is enforcing immigration laws, with about half “strongly” or “somewhat” disapproving. This is in contrast to the strong support from Republicans, who are more likely to approve of ICE’s approach. The divide highlights the partisan nature of the issue, with Democrats and independents expressing significant skepticism about the agency’s methods.