Nearly a year into President Donald Trump’s second term, a new national poll suggests that many of his supporters are not fully satisfied with his economic performance — even as they continue to strongly approve of his leadership overall and remain firmly behind his immigration agenda.
The latest survey from The Associated Press–NORC Center for Public Affairs Research highlights a growing disconnect between how Republicans remember Trump’s first term and how they view his economic impact today. While Trump campaigned heavily on lowering costs for American families, fewer Republicans now say they are seeing meaningful progress.
According to the poll, just 16% of Republicans believe Trump has helped “a lot” with the cost of living during his second term. That marks a sharp decline from April 2024, when nearly half of Republicans credited his first-term presidency with major progress on the same issue. Even when responses of “a little” improvement are included, fewer than half of Republicans say Trump has helped reduce everyday expenses so far this term.
Rising prices continue to shape perceptions. Inflation has eased compared with earlier highs, but the cost of many essentials remains higher than when Trump returned to office in January 2025. Several Republican voters interviewed said their household finances have not noticeably improved, particularly when it comes to groceries and medical bills.
Despite these concerns, most Republican voters say they are willing to give the president more time. About 8 in 10 Republicans still approve of Trump’s overall job performance, compared with roughly 4 in 10 Americans nationwide — a sign that dissatisfaction with specific policies has not translated into a broader loss of support.
Economic skepticism among the base
The poll shows similar trends on job creation and health care costs. Just over half of Republicans say Trump has helped create jobs in his second term, a significant drop from the strong ratings he received for job growth during his first presidency. Only about one-quarter now say he has helped “a lot” in that area.
On health care, Republican confidence has also softened. Roughly one-third say Trump has helped lower health care costs at least somewhat, down from a majority who felt that way about his first term. The expiration of federal health insurance subsidies at the start of the year has contributed to higher premiums for millions of Americans, adding to voter frustration.
Still, many Republican voters emphasize personal responsibility over government action, saying they do not expect Washington alone to secure their financial future.
Immigration remains Trump’s strongest issue
While economic views have cooled, immigration continues to be Trump’s strongest issue among Republicans. About 80% of GOP respondents say he has helped improve border security and immigration enforcement during his second term — roughly matching the support he enjoyed on the issue during his first presidency.
Most Republicans say Trump has struck the right balance on deportations, though about one-third believe he should go even further. At the same time, approval on immigration among Republicans has dipped slightly over the past year, reflecting unease with some enforcement tactics, including highly visible federal operations in major cities.
Among the broader public, Trump’s immigration approach remains deeply polarizing. Just 38% of U.S. adults approve of his handling of the issue, while a clear majority disapprove.
Country improving, personal lives less so
One notable finding from the poll is a gap between how Republicans view the nation’s direction and their own circumstances. About two-thirds say the country is better off now than before Trump took office, but only about half say the same about their personal or family situation.
That sense of national improvement appears to offset individual economic frustrations, reinforcing loyalty to the president despite mixed results on pocketbook issues. Many Republicans interviewed expressed reservations about Trump’s style and rhetoric but said they continue to support his policies and leadership goals.
Overall, the poll suggests that while Trump’s core supporters remain firmly in his corner, their expectations — especially on the economy — have not yet been met. As his second term continues, the challenge for the White House may be converting political loyalty into tangible economic gains that resonate more clearly with the voters who helped return him to office.
