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Trump’s Low‑Income Approval Slightly Rises to 36% in Early January Poll

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January 9‑12 poll shows modest rebound among households under $50,000 The Economist/YouGov survey of 1,550‑1,602 online respondents recorded 36% approval and 54% disapproval for Donald Trump, yielding a net -18 rating; margins of error ranged from 3.3 to 3.6 points[1]. This marks an increase from the Jan 2‑5 wave, which had 34% approval and 61% disapproval. The poll tracks low‑income voter sentiment ahead of the 2026 midterm elections.

Earlier waves illustrate volatility in low‑income support The Dec 26‑29, 2025 poll showed 38% approval and 54% disapproval (net -16), while the Jan 2‑5, 2026 wave dropped to a net -27[1]. Fluctuations correspond with persistent economic concerns such as inflation and cost‑of‑living pressures. Analysts note that these swings could signal broader instability in this demographic’s political alignment.

National trackers place Trump in the low‑to‑mid‑40s overall Decision Desk HQ aggregates place his overall approval around the low‑to‑mid 40% range with a net negative near -12, while Rasmussen Reports’ daily tracker lists roughly 45% approval versus 53% disapproval (net -8)[1]. These broader figures contrast with the sharper disapproval among low‑income voters, highlighting a demographic gap in support.

Economic‑management approval hits six‑year low, prompting White House rebuttal A December NPR/PBS/Marist poll found only 36% of adults approved of Trump’s handling of the economy, the weakest rating in six years, based on a 1,440‑adult sample with ±3.2‑point margins[1]. White House spokespeople responded by emphasizing ongoing economic progress and future growth plans, framing the negative numbers as short‑term perceptions rather than long‑term outcomes.

Midterm strategies likely to focus on affordability and stability Political analysts interpret the data as indicating that the 2026 midterms will hinge on each party’s ability to present credible solutions for rising living costs and economic resilience for working‑class Americans[1]. Both parties are expected to tailor messaging to address the evident discontent among low‑income voters.

Sources

Timeline

Sep 2025 – Suburban voters register a net approval of ‑3 points (47 % approve, 50 % disapprove) in a Quantus Insights poll, marking the first modest dip after Trump’s return to the White House in January 2025[3].

Oct 2025 – Voters without a college degree show 50 % approval and 47 % disapproval of Trump, the highest level for this group since his 2025 inauguration, while Emerson College Polling records a 41 % overall approval nationwide[2].

Nov 2025 – Suburban net approval falls to ‑12 points (43 % approve, 55 % disapprove) as inflation and tariff concerns intensify; Trump attacks the media on Truth Social, declaring “Fake Polls are slanted by the Radical Left Media”[3].

Dec 11 2025 – Trump posts on Truth Social that “inflation has improved, prices are coming down, the stock market hit an all‑time high, and tariffs are generating hundreds of billions in revenue,” framing the economy as strong[2].

Dec 15‑16 2025 – Quantus Insights finds 44 % of Americans approve of Trump’s job performance, with 53 % disapproval; among non‑college‑educated voters, approval slips to 46 % and disapproval rises to 49 %, highlighting growing unease among working‑class voters[2].

Dec 2025 – Heath Brown (CUNY) warns that “suburban voters worry about rising prices, school quality, water safety, and health‑care costs,” while Thomas Whalen (Boston U.) links the approval decline to “inflation, tariffs, and cuts to social programs”[3].

Dec 2025 – Suburban net approval reaches a record ‑16 points (41 % approve, 57 % disapprove) in the latest Quantus Insights survey, the steepest drop since Trump’s 2025 return[3].

Dec 2025 – An Economist/YouGov poll records a historic low 39 % approval and 58 % disapproval (net ‑19) among the general electorate, the worst rating since his 2025 inauguration[3].

Dec 2025 – NPR/PBS/Marist reports 36 % approve of Trump’s economic management, the lowest in six years, underscoring persistent cost‑of‑living concerns[1].

Dec 26‑29 2025 – Economist/YouGov low‑income poll shows 38 % approval and 54 % disapproval (net ‑16) among households earning under $50 k, reflecting volatility in this key demographic ahead of the midterms[1].

Dec 2025 – White House spokesman Kush Desai tells Newsweek that “inflation has cooled to a 2.5 % annual rate and supply‑side policies will keep inflation falling and real wages rising,” defending the administration’s economic record[2].

Jan 2‑5 2026 – Economist/YouGov low‑income poll drops to 34 % approval and 61 % disapproval (net ‑27), the steepest dip since the start of Trump’s term, signaling heightened voter dissatisfaction[1].

Jan 9‑12 2026 – Economist/YouGov low‑income poll rebounds modestly to 36 % approval and 54 % disapproval (net ‑18), showing slight recovery amid ongoing economic anxiety[1].

2026 (midterm election year) – Analysts warn that the 2026 midterms will hinge on which party presents credible plans to curb rising costs and sustain economic resilience for working‑class Americans, while Democrats view the current polling trends as an opening to win back working‑class voters[1][2].

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