Economic issues, which were once Donald Trump’s strength as the US President, no longer has the same support bank this term. His political strengths have shifted in the second term, according to new polling, with other issues like crime and border security taking the central stage.Once a major advantage, Trump’s handling of the economy now draws relatively low approval, particularly among independents. Instead, he is relying on issues like crime, border security, and immigration, which remain his strongest areas. While these topics helped him win the presidency in 2016, recent surveys suggest Americans’ confidence in his economic policies has waned, and support for his immigration approach has slipped slightly.Trump’s top strengths today are border security and crime, though the latest AP-NORC poll hints at some vulnerabilities in the crime issue. Overall, his approval has stayed fairly consistent since the start of his second term. This month, 39% of US adults say they approve of how he is performing as president, aligning with his long-term average after a brief uptick in August, AP reported.Security becomes a highlightTrump has turned border security into a key success of his second term, a marked change from his first. Most Americans now approve of his policies on the issue, rating it higher than his overall presidency or other priorities like immigration and crime.Back in 2019, only 4 out of 10 adults supported the US president’s approach to border security, when he focused on securing funding for a wall along the US-Mexico border.Approval on immigration is slightly lower than earlier in the term but still above his overall job rating. In March, roughly half of US adults approved of his handling of immigration; the latest poll shows 43% support. Even with a small decline, immigration is a stronger point for Trump than it was in his first term, when 4 out of 10 adults approved his approach.The president has pursued deportations of illegal immigrants aggressively, though about half of Americans feel he has “gone too far,” roughly the same as in April.Approval for Trump on crime has dipped to 46%, down from 53% in August following the National Guard’s deployment to Washington. Yet it remains a relative strength, especially among independents, with 4 in 10 approving of his approach compared with 25% approving of his presidency overall.Economy struggles with independentsThe economy is now a weaker point for Trump. Only 37% of US adults approve of his handling, down slightly from 43% in August. Among independents, just 2 in 10 approve, far below the numbers supporting his crime or border security policies.During his first term, around half of Americans supported his economic policies, peaking in early 2020 before the pandemic hit. Approval fluctuated during Covid-19, and about half backed him just before the 2020 election. In his second term, however, economic approval has remained lower, starting at roughly 40%, according to AP.Lowest ratings among Republicans: trade and health careTrump receives his lowest ratings from Republicans on trade and health care, with about 70% approval. Overall, only around a third of Americans approve of his handling of these issues. 6 in 10 Americans say that he has “gone too far” on tariffs, including 9 in 10 Democrats, about 6 in 10 independents, and 3 in 10 Republicans. Few want him to impose additional tariffs.Foreign policy steady, but Israel-Palestine support dipsTrump earns lower marks on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, with approval among US adults at 37%, down from 44% in March. Republican support fell from 82% to 72%, and Democratic support dropped from 14% to 9%. Despite this, overall approval on foreign policy remains steady at around 40%, consistent with earlier polling.
