Trump's Economic Approval Hits Record Low, Lower Than Biden's, Yet He Claims "Best Ever"

Public opposition to U.S. President Donald Trump's economic policies is intensifying.

According to the results of an NPR/PBS News/Marist poll released on June 18, only 33% of respondents said they approve of President Trump's handling of the economy, marking the lowest level of his term.

This figure is even lower than the 36% recorded as the lowest point during the term of former President Biden.

Sixty percent of respondents said they disapprove of President Trump's economic management, a figure that rises to 65% among independent voters.

Even among Republican supporters, 22% expressed disapproval.

The primary cause of this low approval rating is the burden of the cost of living driven by inflation.

Although President Trump campaigned on a promise to lower prices during the 2024 presidential election, the U.S. annual Consumer Price Index (CPI) reached 4.2% last month, the highest level in three years. Food prices rose 3.1% from a year ago, and energy prices increased by nearly 4%.

The average U.S. gasoline price rose to $4.49 per gallon (approx. 1,816 KRW per liter) in mid-May. Following a preliminary agreement between the U.S. and Iran, it dropped to $3.99 per gallon (approx. 1,614 KRW per liter) as of June 18, but remains high.

Despite this, President Trump has continued to praise his own performance, claiming the economy is the "best ever."

On social media platform Truth Social today, which is Father's Day in the U.S., President Trump wrote, "Our Country is doing very well. With record job numbers and the Stock Market, the Economy is the best it has ever been."

He added, "We have, by far, the strongest Military in the World. We are winning on every front, and we are winning big, like never before. God bless you all!"

Previously, on June 10, before signing a memorandum of understanding (MOU) for a temporary ceasefire with Iran, President Trump also expressed optimism regarding last month's inflation figures, calling them "great."

At the time, he praised his own administration, stating, "We have the best stock market and the best reserves in history."

Reported by Kim Jiuk | Video by Kim Na-on | Graphics by Yang Hye-min | Produced by SBS Digital News
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.