President Donald Trump's approval rating has edged up to 44%, according to a new Reuters/Ipsos poll conducted on May 13, 2025. This marks a 2-point increase from the previous poll in late April and reflects a slight improvement in public sentiment regarding the U.S. economy.
The poll indicates a gradual decrease in fears of an impending recession. The number of Americans expressing concern about a potential recession has dropped from 76% in April to 69% in May. Worries about the stock market have also eased, falling from 67% to 60%. These developments coincide with recent economic measures taken by the Trump administration, particularly the decision to scale back tariffs on Chinese imports. The move has been credited with helping the S\&P 500 recover by 17% from its lowest point during Trump’s second term.
Despite the improvement in market confidence, the majority of Americans—59%—still believe that President Trump would be responsible if a recession were to occur this year. Only 37% say former President Joe Biden would be to blame, highlighting lingering skepticism about Trump’s broader economic stewardship.
Approval ratings for Trump remain mixed across specific issues. A Reuters/Ipsos poll conducted in March 2025 showed that just 31% of Americans approved of how Trump is handling the cost of living, with 54% disapproving. On most other major issues, including the economy, foreign policy, and corruption, his approval ratings remained below 40%. The exception was immigration policy, which received 49% approval.
Economic concerns continue to be sharply divided along partisan lines. A CNN poll from March 2025 revealed that 55% of Americans believed proposed federal budget cuts would hurt the economy. Many also expressed worry about how these cuts might affect their personal finances and local communities.
As Trump’s administration moves forward with its second-term agenda, the slight uptick in public approval and easing of recession fears offer a moment of political breathing room. However, persistent concerns over economic policy and cost-of-living pressures suggest that public confidence remains fragile. The administration’s next steps in economic management will be closely watched by both supporters and critics alike.