The discontent of the voters with the economic management of President Donald Trump is sinking his popularity as he approaches the symbolic brand of the 100 days of his second term, increasing the pressure on the Republicans of Congress to approve their fiscal plan.
A series of recent NBC surveys, CNN, New York Times/Siena, ABC News and Fox News, among others, They reveal the same issue: voters perceive that Trump is not fulfilling their main campaign promise to strengthen the economy. The disorganized implementation of tariffs by the president in early April shocked global markets.
A CNN survey published on Sunday showed that only 39% of Americans approve Trump’s economic managementthe lowest level of its two mandates in the White House. A NBC News survey showed that tariffs were also very unpopular, with only 39% of respondents according to their implementation by Trump.
On early Monday, the president criticized the press for highlighting those figures.
“We no longer have a free and fair press in this country. We have a press that writes bad news and makes great traps in the surveys. It is compromised and corrupt. What a pity! ”He published in his social Truth account.
Trump took advantage of the two twin issues of the economy and immigration to obtain the November electoral victory, sweeping each of the key states and winning the popular vote.
Its elixir to improve the economy has two fronts: one are the tariffs that, according to him, will stimulate a rebirth of the American manufacturing industry, And the other is the extension of its 2017 fiscal plan, but with additional incentives, such as no tax on tips or overtime and the capacity of car buyers to deduce the interests of loans.
Republicans seek to approve the fiscal package through a process that would not require democratic votes, which means Trump, Together with the leaders of the House of Representatives and the Senate, they must keep the Republicans in tune before the anguish of the voters. Fundamentally, the position for the intermediate elections of 2026 will soon charge strength.
“In terms of immediate electoral impact, no. Trump’s moderation on the margins does not threaten his leadership or his position within the party”Said Chris Wilson, veteran Republican strategist. “What matters is to mark the general tone of the legislative position and half of the mandate of the Republican Party.”
Economists affirm that the trade war converts the American recession into a currency in the air.
The US economy is expected to expand 1.4% in 2025 and 1.5% in 2026, According to Bloomberg’s latest survey to economists, compared to 2% and 1.9% of last month’s survey. The average respondent now sees a probability of 45% of a recession in the next 12 months, compared to 30% in March.
The party in power generally loses seats in Congress during the mid -period elections and a recession would virtually guarantee republican losses in 2026 that could transfer the control again to the Democrats while Trump fulfills the second half of his mandate, according to Republican strategists.
This could also help to keep the Republicans together to approve tax reform, even if some factions disagree about spending and cost. However, the deterioration of Trump’s surveys figures could make it difficult to get everything he wants in what he himself has called the “great and beautiful law.” Congress returns from the break on Monday.
Trump has sought to calm the markets after the initial impact of their tariffs, suspending them for 90 days while, As he states, he tries to reach individual agreements with the affected countries. He and his main advisors point out the possibility of reaching trade agreements with other nations as a way of further relieving market tensions and reassuring voters.
The president lashed out in a public publication on April 24 after Fox News surveys showed him with an approval rate of 38% in the economy and 33% in inflation.
“Rupert Murdoch has told me for years that he would get rid of his Fox News pollster, who hates Trump and is false, but he has never done so. This ‘pollster’ has misunderstood me and Maga for years, ”Trump wrote.
The strongest theme of Trump surveys is immigration in most cases.
The next public appearances should help Trump reconnect with voters, gain support for their base and promote their economic plan, according to people close to Trump. Trump plans to celebrate a rally in Michigan on Tuesday to commemorate the 100 days of his mandate and pronounce the graduation speech at the University of Alabama on May 1.
