Overview
- The American Research Group survey, conducted Sept. 16–20 and published Sept. 21, put President Trump’s overall approval at 29 percent, a level the pollsters say is the lowest of his presidencies.
- Respondents gave especially poor marks to his economic stewardship, with 26 percent approving, 72 percent saying the economy is getting worse, and three quarters rating their household finances negatively.
- Other contemporaneous measures show higher ratings for Trump, with Reuters/Ipsos reporting 32 percent approval and a CNN Poll of Polls averaging about 36 percent, highlighting variation across surveys and methods.
- Pollsters and outlets note the timing is politically sensitive because public doubts about prices and the economy could affect voter preferences in key districts ahead of the Nov. 3 midterms.
- The Trump team has defended the economy and pointed to falling prices, while official data show inflation was about 3.4 percent year‑over‑year in August, a contrast that shapes how voters judge policy and pocketbook pain.