Polls show that Americans’ confidence is slipping in President Trump’s ability to handle the economy – the most important issue in the 2024 election and the one that likely carried Trump to a second presidential term.

Concerns about affordability, jobs, and inflation are weighing on Trump’s economic approval rating against a backdrop of faltering consumer sentiment and flashing economic warning signs, including a negative forecast for first-quarter GDP growth from the Atlanta Fed.

According to February Gallup polling, 42 percent of Americans are giving a thumbs up to Trump’s economic stewardship while 54 percent are giving him a thumbs down.

Approval of Trump’s handling of the economy also fell to 39 percent from 43 percent in polling released last week by Reuters/Ipsos.

This is notably a lower mark compared to the start of Trump’s first term in 2017, when his economic approval stood at 53 percent. While this could reflect less enthusiasm about the economy more generally, it is also a notable thing to watch for the president’s team.

Trump does still rank well above former President Biden on the economy.........

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