A recent Fox News poll reveals a complex landscape for President Donald Trump, as it indicates an improvement in public perception regarding the economy amid ongoing dissatisfaction with his overall performance. Conducted from July 18 to July 21, the survey involved interviews with 1,000 randomly selected voters and offers insights into voter sentiments six months into Trump’s second term, a period marred by a political crisis linked to the late Jeffrey Epstein. Only 13% of respondents believe the government has been transparent about the Epstein case, laying bare a widespread concern regarding trust in government.
The poll highlights a slight uptick in economic optimism, with 32% of voters rating economic conditions positively—an increase from previous months. Additionally, 44% reported a favorable view of their personal financial situation, marking a rise from 39% in March. However, the impact of inflation remains a pressing issue, as 71% reported financial hardship due to rising prices, although this figure is the lowest it has been since 2021. Voters from all major political affiliations expressed similar concerns about inflation, illustrating the breadth of its impact on American households.
Despite the increase in economic optimism, overall dissatisfaction with the nation’s direction remains high, with 56% of respondents expressing discontent—a slight improvement from 68% at the end of last year. The poll also reveals a significant disapproval of Trump’s key budget legislation, the “One Big Beautiful Bill” (OBBB). More than half of voters (58%) disapprove of the bill, with majorities across political lines, including 21% of Republicans, expressing discontent. Among the most unpopular aspects of the law are increases in the debt ceiling and cuts to food stamp funding. Conversely, proposals to end taxes on tips and make tax cuts permanent for lower-income individuals received broad support.
On specific policy issues, Trump garners his strongest approval ratings for border security, with 56% approval, contrasting sharply with his performance in areas like immigration and foreign policy, where disapproval rates significantly exceed approval. His economic performance also faced criticism, with only 44% approval. Notably, 46% of voters approve of Trump’s overall performance, compared to 54% who disapprove, reflecting a stagnant approval rating since the previous month but a slight improvement compared to the same time during his first term.
Regarding U.S. military actions against Iran, opinions remain divided. While 47% of respondents approve of Trump’s dealings with Iran, 50% disapprove, highlighting a lack of consensus on the effectiveness of these strategies. Voters were also uncertain about the success of the military strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities, with 31% viewing them as successful and 27% considering them a failure, indicating a need for clearer communication on foreign policy achievements.
The implications of these findings suggest that while an improved perception of the economy may bolster Trump’s support, the lingering fallout from the Epstein controversy could undermine it. With 43% of voters believing that Trump’s Iran dealings have made the U.S. less safe, the poll seems to underscore a challenging road ahead, balancing the need to deliver on economic promises while addressing the political instability stemming from external crises.
