Donald Trump's Approval Rating Changes Direction With Working Class

Newsweek

25-07-2025

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After months of steep decline, Donald Trump's approval rating among working-class voters appears to be stabilizing — and even slightly rebounding — according to new polling data.
The latest YouGov/Economist survey, conducted July 16–18, shows the president's approval among working-class Americans rising to 38 percent, with 55 percent disapproving, for a net rating of minus 17.
That marks a modest improvement from June, when Trump's net approval had plunged to minus 26 (33 percent approve, 59 percent disapprove), the lowest of his second term. That is compared to May when Trump stood at 40 percent approval and 52 percent disapproval (net -12), indicating that while support remains well below early-year levels, July's figures may signal a shift in direction after months of erosion.
But the poll also shows that Trump's recent bump in popularity may be short-lived.
Why It Matters
Working-class voters were pivotal to Donald Trump's victories in both 2016 and 2024, forming the backbone of his political coalition.
President Donald Trump speaks during a reception for Republican members of Congress in the East Room of the White House, Tuesday, July 22, 2025, in Washington.
President Donald Trump speaks during a reception for Republican members of Congress in the East Room of the White House, Tuesday, July 22, 2025, in Washington.
Julia Demaree Nikhinson/AP
Public Mood Remains Sour on Economy and Direction of Country
Despite the slight improvement in Trump's approval, polling shows that pessimism among working-class Americans remains widespread. Just 30 percent say the country is headed in the right direction, while 59 percent say it's on the wrong track. Although that's a slight improvement from June (28 percent right direction, 62 percent wrong), it continues a months-long trend of deep discontent. In May, 32 percent said the country was headed in the right direction, compared to 54 percent who disagreed.
Perceptions of the economy remain overwhelmingly negative. In July, 43 percent of working-class Americans said they approve of how the economy is being handled, while 55 percent disapprove — a slightly better split than in June (37 percent approve, 54 percent disapprove) and identical to May's numbers. But when asked how they view the trajectory of the economy, only 19 percent said things are getting better, 19 percent said things are staying the same, and 53 percent said the economy is getting worse.
That perception has held steady over recent months: In June, 17 percent said the economy was improving, and in May that figure stood at 24 percent. More than half of respondents each month said conditions were worsening.
Personal Finances and Inflation Are Still Sore Spots
The souring sentiment comes as inflation ticked up nationally: annual inflation rose to 2.7 percent in June, up from 2.4 percent in May, according to the Consumer Price Index (CPI). Meanwhile, Americans now face an average tariff rate of 18.7 percent, the highest since 1933, according to the Yale Budget Lab — a direct result of Trump's expansive tariff policies.
Amid increasing inflation, working-class voters report worsening personal finances. In July, just 10 percent said they were better off financially than a year ago, while 47 percent said they were worse off and 38 percent reported no change. These numbers have remained largely consistent since May.
Inflation continues to weigh heavily: In July, 61 percent of working-class respondents said inflation was getting worse, with only 26 percent saying it had improved. Those numbers have only slightly shifted since May, when 35 percent said inflation was improving and 55 percent said it was worsening.
Immigration and Epstein Controversy Pose New Challenges
One of the few areas where Trump has seen relative strength is immigration. In July, 47 percent of working-class voters said they approve of his handling of immigration, while 45 percent disapprove — a sharp improvement from June, when he had a 39 percent approval to 55 percent disapproval split. May's numbers were evenly divided at 45 percent.
Throughout his second term, Trump has ramped up immigration enforcement, launching mass deportation operations, intensifying raids in sanctuary cities, and reopening thousands of previously closed deportation cases. At the same time, illegal border crossings dropped to a historic low last month, as his administration secured billions in new funding for border security and expanded enforcement measures.
The administration has also significantly increased detention capacity, allocating $45 billion to expand ICE facilities and build large-scale temporary camps — including a controversial tent compound in Florida known as "Alligator Alcatraz."
This aggressive stance on immigration was key to Trump's victory in 2024 among working class voters. Exit polling showed that immigration was frequently among their top three issues—with strong trust in Trump's approach over his opponent's.
However, a brewing controversy over the Epstein files could derail some of the recent progress Trump has made with working-class Americans. An overwhelming 77 percent of working-class voters say the government should release all documents relating to the Epstein case, and 68 percent believe there is a government cover-up underway. Just 6 percent believe there is no cover-up.
Only 24 percent approve of Trump's handling of the Epstein investigation, while 48 percent disapprove — a potential liability as the issue gains more attention.