Five months into his second term, Donald Trump faces a stark political reality that his team couldn’t have anticipated: his approval ratings have plummeted to their lowest levels since returning to office, revealing deep cracks in public support across virtually every major policy area. The latest polling data paints a troubling picture for a president who promised to govern differently than his predecessor, but instead finds himself grappling with declining approval on issues that were once his political strengths.

The Numbers Don’t Lie: A Comprehensive Breakdown

A new poll released by Quinnipiac University on Wednesday (June 11) revealed that just 38 percent of Americans approve of Trump’s work as president, while 54 percent disapprove overall. This represents a significant decline from his post-inauguration honeymoon period and marks the first time Trump’s approval has dipped below 40 percent during his second term.

The trajectory tells a concerning story for the Trump administration. Trump enjoyed an all-time high job approval rating of 46 percent when he returned to office in January. In February, that number slumped to 45 percent; in March, to 42 percent; and in April, to 41 percent. The June poll shows a continuation of this downward trend, with Trump losing 3 percentage points since April.

The poll was conducted among 1,265 self-identified registered voters from June 5 to June 9, with a margin of error of 2.8 percent, making it a statistically significant representation of American public opinion during a particularly turbulent period for the administration.

Issue-by-Issue Analysis: Struggles Across the Board

What makes these numbers particularly striking is that Trump is facing disapproval across virtually every major policy area, including those where he traditionally performed well.

Immigration: A Declining Strength

Perhaps most surprising is Trump’s declining support on immigration, an issue that has been central to his political brand since 2015. The poll found that 43 percent approved of how the president is handling immigration, while 54 percent disapproved. This represents a decline from April, when 45 percent approved and 50 percent disapproved of his immigration handling.

The decline comes at a particularly challenging time for the administration’s immigration agenda. Trump deployed the National Guard and later 700 Marines to Los Angeles, responding to reports of violence targeting law enforcement, particularly Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents carrying out deportation raids. Anti-ICE protests have erupted in major cities including Los Angeles, New York, Atlanta, Dallas, and Washington, D.C., creating a backdrop of civil unrest that may be influencing public opinion.

On deportations specifically, Trump’s approval has declined from 42 percent to 40 percent, while disapproval has climbed from 53 percent to 56 percent. This suggests that even Trump’s hardline approach to immigration enforcement is not resonating with voters as it once did.

Economic Concerns: Traditional Strength Under Pressure

The economy, traditionally viewed as a potential bright spot for Trump, shows similar struggles. Just 40 percent approve of Trump’s handling of the economy, while 56 percent disapprove. While this approval rating is nearly identical to the 41 percent recorded in April, the disapproval rating has ticked up from 54 percent to 56 percent.

More concerning for the administration is Trump’s performance on trade policy. In April, 42 percent of voters approved of Trump’s handling of trade and 49 percent disapproved. Now, only 38 percent approve, and disapproval has surged to 57 percent. This decline comes despite Trump’s focus on trade as a cornerstone of his economic agenda.

This marks a break from a broader trend of modest recovery in Trump’s economic numbers, which had begun rebounding after a sharp dip in April caused by the announcement of his “Liberation Day” tariffs. The tariff policy initially rattled financial markets before stabilizing, but appears to have left lasting damage to Trump’s economic credibility.

Foreign Policy Challenges

Trump’s handling of international affairs shows even more pronounced struggles. Americans are particularly unimpressed with how Trump has handled the Ukraine-Russia war, with just 34 percent saying they approve of the president’s methods. This represents his lowest approval rating across all measured issues.

Polling analyst Tim Malloy said in a statement: “As the Russia-Ukraine war grinds through its third year, Americans make it clear they have little appetite for the way the Trump administration is handling the situation”.

Trump’s handling of the Israel-Hamas conflict also shows underwater numbers, with 35 percent approving and 52 percent disapproving, reflecting the challenging nature of Middle East diplomacy for the administration.

The Musk Factor: A Relationship Gone Wrong

One of the most dramatic developments affecting Trump’s presidency has been his very public falling out with tech billionaire Elon Musk, who had been one of his closest advisors and biggest financial supporters.

When voters were asked how they would rate the work that Musk and the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) have done, 38 percent say either excellent or good, while 57 percent say either not so good or poor. However, among Republicans, the picture is more positive, with 80 percent rating Musk and DOGE’s work favorably.

Malloy noted: “Though Musk isn’t as popular with Republicans as he once was, he and DOGE get a hearty high five from a healthy majority of Republicans”. Among Republicans, 62 percent have a favorable opinion of Musk, compared to 78 percent in Quinnipiac University’s March 13 poll, showing a decline in his standing even among Trump’s base.

The feud between Trump and Musk has dominated headlines and created unprecedented drama within the administration. The conflict centers around Trump’s “Big Beautiful Bill,” which Musk has publicly attacked as a “disgusting abomination”. Musk has claimed: “Without me, Trump would have lost the election, Dems would control the House and the Republicans would be 51-49 in the Senate. Such ingratitude”.

The feud escalated dramatically when Musk agreed with calls for Trump’s impeachment and even made unsubstantiated claims about Trump being in the Epstein files. This extraordinary breakdown of what was once considered a key political alliance has created chaos within Republican ranks and raised questions about Trump’s ability to maintain relationships with key supporters.

The Political Context: A Broader Pattern of Decline

These polling numbers don’t exist in a vacuum. They reflect a broader pattern of challenges that have accumulated over Trump’s first five months back in office.