Trump’s Tariff Policies Draw Criticism as Disapproval Rating Hits Year’s Highest

U.S. President Donald Trump’s disapproval rating has surged to 52.1 percent, marking the worst net rating of his second term, according to a new poll conducted by ActiVote between July 1 and 31. The poll indicates growing voter dissatisfaction with Trump’s economic strategies, particularly his tariff policies, and lingering concerns over the Jeffrey Epstein scandal.

The survey results reflect mounting unease among Americans as the country’s economic indicators show signs of distress. Recent job data released by the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) revealed that U.S. employers added just 73,000 jobs in July—significantly below the forecasted 109,000—signaling a sharp slowdown in job growth. Inflation also rose to 2.7 percent in June, while U.S. stock markets experienced notable declines, with analysts linking these developments to trade uncertainties and rising costs stemming from Trump’s tariff measures.

In a controversial move, President Trump dismissed Erika McEntarfer, Commissioner of the Bureau of Labor Statistics, following the release of the disappointing jobs data. The firing has drawn criticism from economists and lawmakers who view it as an attempt to deflect blame for the administration’s economic mismanagement.

Heather Long, Chief Economist at the Navy Federal Credit Union, warned that “the U.S. labor market is deteriorating quickly” and attributed the slowdown to uncertainty created by the tariff regime. She added that businesses are delaying investments and hiring due to the unpredictability of trade relations under the current administration.

The President, however, struck a defiant tone, declaring that “The U.S. Economy is booming,” despite mounting data suggesting otherwise.

Further compounding public unease is the resurfacing of scrutiny around Trump’s past associations with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. Although Trump has acknowledged knowing Epstein in the 1990s and early 2000s, the scandal continues to cast a shadow over his leadership.

As the 2026 midterm election season gains momentum, Trump’s slipping approval ratings and deepening economic concerns may pose significant challenges for his political standing and the Republican Party.