Trump’s Approval Rating on Economy Hits New High: Gallup Poll

Traders work on the floor of the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) in New York City, on March 4, 2019. (Spencer Platt/Getty Images

President Donald Trump’s approval rating on his handling of the economy reached the highest point in his presidency, according to the latest Gallup poll published March 5. At the same time, his approval rating on unemployment soared nearly as high.

Polling data revealed that 56 percent of Americans approve of how the president is handling the economy, marking a new high for Trump. The percentage was also the highest number out of all the 14 domestic and foreign issues tested in the latest Gallup poll. Not far behind was Trump’s handling of unemployment, where he gained an approval rating of 54 percent.

His overall job approval numbers, meanwhile, were recorded at 43 percent, roughly the same numbers as Gallop’s previous February poll. The pollsters noted that Trump’s overall rating “appears to be stabilizing at a higher level than it had been in late 2018 and early 2019.”

A Closer Look

The polling data was taken from interviews with 1,932 adults between the period of Feb. 12 to 28. Respondents largely voted along partisan lines in regards to their opinion of Trump.

On Trump’s handling of the economy, 93 percent of Republicans approved compared to 53 percent of independents and 20 percent of Democrats, the data showed. Gallup’s poll has a margin of error of plus or minus 3 percentage points.

Meanwhile, on the president’s overall job approval, 90 percent of Republicans approved, compared to 35 percent of independents and only 6 percent of Democrats.

Among Republicans, the lowest assessment of the president among all the domestic and foreign issues polled was his handling of the situation in Syria in regards to U.S. involvement.

On Trump’s handling of Syria, 71 percent of Republicans approved, compared to 29 percent of independents and 9 percent of Democrats. In February, Trump said on Twitter that the United States “will soon control 100% of ISIS territory in Syria.”

“Americans’ views of Trump remain sharply polarized along partisan lines,” the pollsters said.

Economic Gains

The nation’s view of the economy under Trump has been largely positive throughout his time in office and been a major source of strength to his public image, according to the poll.

Trump’s recent 56 percent approval rating on his handling of the economy marks a rise of four points since early February. The jump could be attributed to a mix of low unemployment rates—4 percent in January—and improvements in stock market performance.

Trump’s approval rating on the economy has not fallen below 45 percent throughout his presidency, the pollsters noted.

Last month, Trump denounced the former administration’s economic policies and said they would have dragged the nation down.

“We have a great economy DESPITE the Obama Administration and all of its job killing Regulations and Roadblocks,” he said on Twitter. “If that thinking prevailed in the 2016 Election, the U.S. would be in a Depression right now! We were heading down, and don’t let the Democrats sound bites fool you!”