Trump Approval Drops 8 Points From January in New Emerson Poll

Emerson poll puts Trump at 41% approval, eight points below January, marking a notable slide from the opening days of his second term and underscoring how economic unease has weighed on public sentiment in recent weeks.

What Happened

In results released December 18, 2025, Emerson College Polling reported President Donald Trump’s job approval at 41% with 50% disapproving. That mirrors Emerson’s November reading but represents a clear drop from the group’s first survey of the term in January 2025, when approval stood at 49% and disapproval at 41%—an eight-point decline in approval and a near mirror image of views since the year began.

The December wave was conducted shortly after the White House’s year-end messaging push and follows months of heightened attention on prices, tariffs and broader affordability concerns.

Broader Polling Picture

Other reputable national polls point to a similar range. Reuters/Ipsos now pegs overall approval at 39% in mid-December, while just a third approve of the president’s handling of the economy, a second-term low in that series. AP-NORC’s December read likewise found overall approval hovering at about four in ten, with Americans continuing to rate the economy and costs as top concerns.

That economic strain shows up consistently across surveys. AP-NORC shows 31% approval on the economy, while most respondents report they are still feeling higher prices heading into the holidays—context that helps explain why topline approval has struggled to regain early-year levels.

Why It Matters

Early-term “honeymoons” are often brief, but the eight-point slide from January captured by Emerson suggests the erosion has been durable. The president sought to reset the narrative in a nationally televised address on December 17, touting progress on immigration and prices and pitching new ideas, even as independent polling still reflects skepticism about the economy’s direction.

What’s Next

Whether approval rebounds in early 2026 may hinge on tangible improvements in cost-of-living measures and labor-market stability. With the 2026 midterms already in sight, both parties will be watching monthly inflation data and consumer sentiment closely—metrics that have tracked closely with the president’s standing throughout the year.

Sources

• December 2025 National Poll: Trump’s Approval Flips Since Start of the Year — Emerson College Polling (December 18, 2025)
• In holiday speech, Trump highlights victories amid sinking approval ratings — Reuters (December 17, 2025)
• This holiday season isn't very merry for consumers, an AP-NORC poll finds — Associated Press (December 12, 2025)
• Trump’s Approval Rating In Latest Survey Down 8 Points Since Start Of His Term — Forbes (December 18, 2025)