The nation held its breath in the hours leading up to President Trump’s planned address on the economy, a speech poised to address anxieties about affordability. A newly released national poll offered a surprising counterpoint to prevailing narratives – the President’s approval numbers were quietly climbing.
The Reuters/Ipsos survey, completed just days prior, revealed 41% approval, a notable shift from the 38% recorded in mid-November. While a majority, 57%, still expressed disapproval, the upward trend signaled a potential turning of the tide.
Last year’s Republican victories, fueled by a focus on lowering costs, had seemed to cement a mandate for change. The GOP reclaimed both the White House and Senate, successfully defending their House majority, riding a wave of economic promises.
However, Democrats had recently found renewed energy. Decisive wins in the 2025 elections and a strong showing in a Tennessee special election demonstrated their ability to mobilize voters around the issue of affordability, particularly as prices remained stubbornly high.
Recent Labor Department reports painted a complex picture. Inflation, while still elevated, had ticked up slightly to 3% annually in September, a small increase from the previous month. This persistent economic pressure remained a key vulnerability for the President.
Despite this, the new survey showed a significant jump in approval regarding the President’s handling of the cost of living – from 26% to 31%. This surge was almost entirely driven by a 10-point increase in support among Republicans.
President Trump had previously dismissed the Democratic focus on affordability as a “hoax,” but recent actions suggested a shift in strategy. He’d begun to actively address high prices, scaling back some tariffs and vowing to lower food costs.
The upcoming speech in Pennsylvania, a crucial battleground state, was slated to be the President’s first major address specifically dedicated to the issue of affordability. It represented a pivotal moment to directly address voter concerns.
The Reuters/Ipsos survey, based on responses from 4,434 Americans nationwide, carried a margin of error of plus or minus 2 percentage points. It offered a snapshot of a nation grappling with economic uncertainty.
Other polls echoed a similar sentiment. A Fox News survey from mid-November placed the President’s approval at 41%, the lowest point of his second term. A stark three-quarters of those polled viewed the economy negatively.
Interestingly, voters were more likely to blame President Trump than his predecessor, Joe Biden, for the current economic conditions, by a nearly two-to-one margin. This perception underscored the high stakes of the upcoming address and the challenges ahead.
