Following the passage of the tax and spending legislation in Congress on July 3 and its signing into law by President Trump on July 4, his approval rating has dropped, according to two of three major polls, as reported by USA Today.
The final version of the bill, which Trump signed during Independence Day celebrations, included deep cuts to Medicaid and Medicare, continuation of the 2017 tax reductions, and increased funding for immigration enforcement, according to USA Today.
Polling Declines
A Gallup poll indicates Trump’s approval during the first six months of both his terms stands at 38% and 40% — the lowest for any modern president at an equivalent stage. The historical average since John F. Kennedy is 52%.
Recent Surveys (Post-Bill)
- The Economist/YouGov (July 4–7; n = 1,528): Approve 42% / Disapprove 53% / Unsure 5%. Among Black voters, approval fell from 20% in June to 15% in July.
- Morning Consult (July 3–6; n = 2,203): Approve 45% / Disapprove 52%.
- Rasmussen (July 9; n = 1,500): Approve 49% / Disapprove 49%.
The aggregated Silver Bulletin on July 9 shows 44.9% approval versus 51.6% disapproval across 10 polls.
Today—172 days into Trump’s second term—his net approval is at –12%, a slight recovery of just 0.4 points from last week, reports The Economist. Currently, 42% approve, 54% disapprove, and 5% remain undecided.
‘One Big Beautiful Bill’ Provokes Public Backlash
Despite Trump touting the law as a major victory—per coverage by TIME and Politico—the package has generated widespread concern. According to Reuters, both parties are already positioning ahead of the 2026 midterms. Pew Research finds 49% of Americans oppose it versus just 29% in favor; Democrats are gearing up around Medicaid and food-aid cuts, while Republicans highlight permanent tax relief for tipped workers and corporations.
Critics from The Guardian label it a betrayal of Trump’s working-class base, citing $1 trillion in Medicaid cuts, reduced food assistance, and the dismantling of clean energy incentives.
Reactions from the Public and Media
Trump just signed a massive budget bill—deep cuts to health programs & tax giveaways for the wealthy. No wonder approval’s sinking. pic.twitter.com/dummy
— Jane Doe (@JaneDoePolitics) July 11, 2025
Summary
Trump’s “One Big Beautiful Bill” consolidates major tax cuts and rollback of social programs, drawing strong opposition from voters — especially those concerned about Medicaid, food security, and rising deficit. His approval ratings have dropped to historic lows for this point of a presidency, with initial signs of bipartisan backlash and potential ripples into the 2026 midterm elections.