WASHINGTON, Dec 9 – President Donald Trump is seeing a modest yet notable rise in his public approval rating, reflecting shifting attitudes among voters who have begun responding to his recent push to address the rising cost of living. A new national survey completed in the past week shows that his overall standing has improved, especially among Republicans and a small but important share of Hispanic voters. The findings suggest that the administration’s increased attention on affordability and household expenses may be resonating with parts of the electorate.
Trump Approval Rises Amid Cost Concerns
The latest polling shows the president’s approval rating climbing to 41%, up from 38% at the end of last month. That previous figure had been his lowest point since he began his second term in January when he entered office with a considerably stronger 47% rating. Although still below that early benchmark, the recent uptick marks a meaningful shift at a time when cost pressures continue to dominate political conversations across the country. according to a new Reuters/Ipsos poll.
Republican strategists spent much of November assessing disappointing performances in several state level contests. In those races, Democrats repeatedly criticized the administration for allowing high inflation to persist and for failing to offer relief to families facing rising bills. These setbacks appear to have prompted a more targeted response from the White House. In recent weeks, the president has moved to place affordability at the center of his economic message. He has loosened some tariff increases that were expected to raise import prices and has pledged additional steps to limit burdens at the grocery store, where many Americans say they feel the most pressure.
The president has not hesitated to strike back at critics, at times dismissing complaints about inflation as political theater. He has characterized the opposition’s messaging on the issue as a manufactured crisis intended to score electoral points. Still, the renewed focus suggests the administration recognizes the seriousness of voter concerns, particularly in parts of the country where household budgets have tightened sharply.
On Tuesday, the president is scheduled to deliver a major address in Pennsylvania, a battleground state in national elections. His remarks will center on affordability and broader economic challenges, and his appearance comes as multiple congressional districts in Pennsylvania are expected to see highly competitive races next year. With all 435 seats in the House of Representatives on the ballot, both parties are seeking to shape voter sentiment well in advance.
While the president’s standing on cost of living issues remains one of his weaker areas, the latest numbers point to improvement. His approval rating on this specific metric rose to 31%, up from 26% in late November. That increase was driven in part by a significant boost within his own party. 10% more Republicans now say they approve of his handling of affordability concerns, bringing favorability among Republicans on this issue to 69%. Overall support from Republicans for his presidency also rose slightly, moving from 82% last month to 85% in the most recent results.
Economic pressures have been a defining element of the political environment. Inflation accelerated sharply before the president took office and remained elevated through much of the Biden administration. Although price growth has slowed in some sectors, inflation has not fully retreated. Prices increased by 3% in the 12 months through September, which is higher than the long term average of roughly 2%. These sustained increases have kept economic matters at the forefront of national debates and have shaped voter perceptions in both positive and negative ways.
The latest survey also shows a modest rise in approval among Hispanic voters. This group shifted toward the president in the last election and remains a key demographic in multiple swing states. Approval among Hispanic respondents rose to 34%, up from 32% at the end of last month. While the increase is relatively small, it signals potential strengthening in a voting bloc that could influence the outcome of several close races in the coming year.
The nationwide survey gathered responses from more than 4,000 adults and was conducted online. The margin of error for the poll is approximately 2% points in either direction, which means small fluctuations should be interpreted cautiously. Even so, the upward trend suggests that the administration’s message on affordability may be gaining traction as voters assess how ongoing cost pressures are being handled.