President Donald Trump’s approval rating is showing noticeable weakness among middle-class Americans, according to a series of recent national polls, raising fresh questions about how economic concerns may shape the political landscape heading into 2026.
Polling data indicates that voters earning between $50,000 and $100,000 annually—a group often seen as politically decisive—are becoming increasingly dissatisfied with the president’s performance. Economist/YouGov surveys conducted in late 2025 reveal a steady erosion of support within this income bracket. Trump’s net approval among middle-class respondents declined from -10 in October to -12 in November, before dropping further to -17 by December. By the end of the year, only 40 percent approved of his performance, while 57 percent disapproved.
This downward trend is not limited to the middle class. The same YouGov data shows an even sharper fall in approval among working-class Americans earning under $50,000 annually, where Trump’s net approval slid to -34 points. Just 31 percent of respondents in this group expressed approval, compared to 65 percent who disapproved, underscoring widespread frustration over household finances and cost-of-living pressures.
Broader national surveys reinforce this pattern. A December PBS News/NPR/Marist poll found that 57 percent of Americans disapproved of Trump’s handling of the economy, while only 36 percent approved—marking his weakest economic rating across both of his terms. Similarly, polling from the AP-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research showed a notable decline in economic approval since spring 2025, with only about 40 percent of Americans satisfied with his economic management by December.
Affordability has emerged as a central concern driving these attitudes. Roughly 70 percent of Americans now say their local area is unaffordable for average families, a sharp increase from mid-year figures. Rising prices, interest rates, health care costs, and financial insecurity continue to dominate voter anxieties, even as headline inflation has moderated.
The White House has pushed back strongly against the polling narrative. In public statements and social media posts, President Trump has dismissed unfavorable surveys as biased, insisting that public approval is far higher. Administration officials argue that current economic challenges stem from policies inherited from the Biden administration and point to falling inflation, energy production, and drug pricing initiatives as evidence of progress.
Economic analysts, however, note that while inflation has cooled, prices have not meaningfully declined for many consumers. According to experts, voters tend to respond more to everyday costs than to macroeconomic indicators, which may explain the growing disconnect between official messaging and public sentiment.
Political strategists warn that sustained dissatisfaction among middle- and working-class voters could have significant consequences in the 2026 midterm elections. Trump’s 2024 victory relied heavily on promises to lower inflation and strengthen the economy—appeals that resonated with voters who had previously supported Democrats. If those voters continue to feel squeezed financially, their support may become less reliable.
As economic issues remain at the forefront of American life, affordability, wages, and health care costs are likely to dominate political debate in the months ahead. Whether the administration can reverse these approval trends may prove critical not only for Trump’s political standing, but also for the balance of power in Congress moving forward.
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