A new Fox News Poll released Wednesday evening shows a country deeply concerned about its financial future, with President Donald Trump’s approval rating sitting at 42%.
As the administration navigates its second term, 58% of registered voters say they disapprove of the job the president is doing, fueled largely by a spike in concerns over the cost of living.
The survey, conducted April 17-20, highlights a significant “intensity gap.” While 23% of voters strongly approve of the president’s performance, nearly double that amount—45%—say they strongly disapprove. These figures are nearly identical to the president’s second-term low recorded just last month.
Prices at the Pump and the Pantry
The economy remains the dominant force in American politics, with 70% of respondents stating that the economy is getting worse for them and their families. When asked to identify the single most important issue facing the nation, inflation and the cost of affordability topped the list at 26%.
The daily impact of rising costs is hitting home for a majority of the electorate:
- 62% call grocery prices a “major problem.”
- 60% say gas prices are a “major problem,” a sharp increase from 33% in September.
- 55% view healthcare costs as a “major burden.”
- 52% report housing costs are a major issue.
Regarding specific policy handling, the president received his lowest marks on inflation (28% approve) and the general economy (34% approve). However, he continues to see majority support for his handling of border security, which stands at 53%.
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Trust in Leadership and Parties
The poll also measured the standing of key administration figures and the broader political parties. Vice President JD Vance holds a 44% approval rating, while 55% disapprove of his performance. Secretary of State Marco Rubio also sits at 44% approval, with Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth at 41%.
When asked which party would do a better job handling specific issues, voters expressed a split in trust. Democrats hold a lead in trust regarding the economy (+4 points), inflation (+8), and healthcare (+21). Republicans maintain their traditional edge on border security (+16 points), immigration (+8), and national security (+6).
Competence and Personal Traits
Voters remain skeptical of the administration’s overall management, with 43% saying the government is being run competently and effectively, while 56% disagree.
On personal traits, 42% believe the president has the judgment to serve effectively, 45% believe he has the mental soundness, and 37% feel he “cares about people like you.”
Despite the dissatisfaction with the current status quo, voter motivation remains high. Ahead of the November elections, 60% of registered voters say they are “extremely motivated” to vote. If congressional elections were held today, the poll indicates a 5-point advantage for Democratic candidates over Republicans (52% to 47%).
Methodology: This Fox News Poll was conducted April 17-20, 2026, under the joint direction of Beacon Research (D) and Shaw & Company Research (R). It includes interviews with 1,001 randomly selected registered voters nationwide. The margin of sampling error for the full results is ±3 percentage points.
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