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Trump falling in the polls: approval ratings at an all-time low among independents

A sharp drop of more than 9 points in approval ratings. The Epstein case, the economic crisis and immigration policy weigh heavily

Donald Trump, Republican candidate for the 2024 presidential election and former president of the United States from 2017 to 2021, is going through a difficult phase in terms of popularity. According to a report published by the Decision Desk HQ website and cited by The Hill, the former president is recording one of the lowest approval ratings since he entered the political arena.

His net approval rating has fallen by 9.2 points in the last week alone, while the RealClearPolitics average has recorded a disapproval rating of 52.7%, the highest ever recorded for Trump during the current election campaign.

The decline is particularly striking among “independent” voters – those who do not identify permanently with either of the two main American parties – where only 29% express a favourable opinion of him.

According to analysts, the sharp decline is attributable to a combination of factors. Among these, the following stand out:

persistent inflation, which is partly attributed to the Trump administration’s previous tariff policy;
controversial immigration measures, culminating in a recent wave of raids and arrests by ICE (Immigration and Customs Enforcement);
and the Epstein case, which has returned to public attention after new revelations and media comparisons, causing embarrassment even among the former president’s most loyal supporters, including members of the “MAGA” (Make America Great Again) base.

‘Trump’s communication skill has always been to quickly change the media cycle, shifting attention from one issue to another. But now he seems to be struggling to leave behind persistent scandals and controversies,’ observed Lee Miringoff, director of the Marist Institute for Public Opinion.

The decline in the polls comes at a crucial moment in the election campaign, as Trump seeks to consolidate his lead in the Republican field and win back votes among undecided voters. The risk, according to several observers, is that the erosion of support among independents could jeopardise his run for the White House, especially in swing states where these voter groups are decisive.

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