Former President Donald Trump is seeing a mixed bag when it comes to public opinion on major national issues and according to the latest Marquette Law School national survey, he has a net positive approval on just one.
The May 2025 poll shows that border security remains Trump’s strongest-performing issue, where he holds a net approval of +12%. In contrast, most other areas including the economy, foreign policy, inflation, and tariffs show negative ratings from voters across the board.
Border Security: Trump’s Only Positive Spotlight
On the issue of border security, 56% of respondents approve of Trump’s handling, while 44% disapprove. This gives him his only positive net score across all key issues surveyed. The topic has long been a cornerstone of Trump’s political identity, especially since his 2016 campaign, and it seems to remain a key area of support among Republican voters.
Among Republicans, Trump’s approval on border security is extremely high, clocking in at 84%. Even 25% of Democrats and 48% of independents give him a thumbs-up on this issue a rare cross-party alignment in today’s polarized political landscape.
Immigration: A Divided Nation
Closely tied to border security is immigration policy. Here, the country appears evenly split. Trump’s approval and disapproval both stand at 50%, resulting in a net approval of zero. This suggests that while the former president’s messaging continues to resonate with his base, it’s not swaying the wider electorate enough to gain an overall advantage.
Economy: A Weak Spot in the Numbers
Despite frequent campaign statements touting economic achievements during his previous administration, Trump’s approval on the economy sits at 42%, with 58% disapproval. That’s a net approval of -16% a significant deficit considering economic management is often a top voter priority.
This number is especially notable as economic perceptions have become central to the 2024 and 2025 political narrative. Rising costs, housing struggles, and post-pandemic inflation continue to shape public opinion.
According to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, recent inflation metrics have shown some easing, but public concern remains high. Meanwhile, The U.S. Department of the Treasury continues to monitor financial conditions, but the lag in public confidence is evident in Trump’s approval ratings.
Tariffs and Inflation: Big Disapprovals
Trump’s tariff policies, another key part of his economic stance during his presidency, are particularly unpopular. The Marquette poll shows that 63% of voters disapprove, while only 37% approve. This results in a net approval of -26%, making it one of his worst-rated issues.
Similarly, Trump’s approach to inflation and cost of living garners even less support. With only 34% approving and 66% disapproving, his net approval falls to -32%, the lowest in the poll.
These numbers reflect a major challenge for Trump’s campaign messaging. While he continues to highlight his past economic policies as successful, many voters are signaling they want a different approach.
Foreign Policy and Ukraine War: Also Negative
When it comes to foreign policy, Trump’s approval ratings are again underwater. The poll shows 43% approval and 57% disapproval, for a net rating of -14%.
On the Russia-Ukraine war, Trump fares slightly worse. His approval sits at 40%, with 60% disapproving, giving him a net rating of -20%. While many Americans are divided on the U.S.’s role in foreign conflicts, Trump’s public comments on the war sometimes perceived as sympathetic to Russia may be hurting his image among moderates and independents.
GOP Support Still Solid
Despite low net ratings on several major issues, Trump retains strong support from the Republican base. On every issue surveyed, Republican approval for Trump exceeds 70%, peaking at 84% for border security and 81% for immigration.
Among Democrats, approval barely crosses 10% on any issue, reflecting the deep partisan divide. Independents remain the swing factor, offering mixed but largely negative views across the issues.
