It was supposed to be his redemption term — the comeback presidency that proved Donald Trump could turn chaos into prosperity. But nine months into his second administration, the former real estate mogul finds himself trapped in a nightmare of his own making: a collapsing economy, disillusioned voters, and approval ratings sinking faster than the markets he once bragged about saving.

According to a new YouGov/Economist survey, 57 percent of Americans disapprove of Trump’s performance as president, compared to just 39 percent who approve. It’s not only his worst mark since returning to the White House in 2025 — it’s the lowest approval rating of his entire political career.

His net approval now sits at minus 18, three points lower than his previous all-time low during the turbulent end of his first term. The numbers confirm what many in Washington already suspected: the “Trump revival” has stalled, and his once-loyal coalition is fracturing under the weight of broken promises.

“The president was re-elected on a wave of economic despair, selling voters a miracle,” The Economist wrote. “But so far, the only thing vanishing has been confidence.”

Trump’s campaign speeches had been filled with grandeur: “Incomes will skyrocket, inflation will vanish completely, jobs will come roaring back, and the middle class will prosper like never before.” Nine months later, the reality looks very different.

Inflation remains stubbornly high. Gas and grocery prices continue to climb. The administration’s sweeping tariff wars have rattled global supply chains. Unemployment is rising for the first time in years.

And for the first time since his re-election, Trump’s once-bulletproof reputation on the economy — the very foundation of his brand — has imploded.

The YouGov data shows that Trump now carries a negative 22-point approval on jobs and the economy, and a staggering negative 32-point rating on inflation and prices. Even on immigration — a cornerstone of his political identity — he has slipped into negative territory, down 10 points among voters who once cheered his hardline approach.

Worse still for the president, the collapse cuts across demographics. Men disapprove by 53 percent, women by 63 percent, Hispanics by 65 percent, and young voters (18–29) by a crushing 75 percent. These were the very voters his campaign had promised to win back through “strength, stability, and success.”

Instead, they see stagnation, division, and excuses.

At a press conference in South Korea, where Trump attended the APEC Summit, the president brushed off the grim data with his trademark bravado. “I have my highest numbers that I’ve ever had,” he insisted. “I ended eight wars, and we have the greatest economy in history. Energy prices are way down. Everything’s way down. Beef is a little bit high, but we’re going to get beef down too.”

It was a surreal performance — part denial, part self-convincing — from a man whose political magic appears to be fading. Even some within his own party have begun to question whether the Trump economy has any direction at all.

“Tariffs, inflation, and mixed messaging — it’s economic whiplash,” said one GOP strategist speaking anonymously. “The base is restless, independents are fleeing, and Democrats are unified by one simple fact: Trump isn’t delivering.”

Analysts point out that Trump’s troubles are not just economic but psychological. Having spent years branding himself as the “dealmaker-in-chief,” his inability to bend the economy to his will has struck at the heart of his image. “He can’t tweet his way out of inflation,” one political observer quipped on CNN.

The president’s stubborn refusal to acknowledge bad news only deepens the damage. While the YouGov poll shows his approval dropping weekly — down 1.3 points since last week alone — Trump continues to insist the opposite, telling rally crowds that “fake polls” are being used to demoralize his supporters.

But the mood inside the country tells another story.

In Pennsylvania, a laid-off steelworker summed up the disillusionment many feel: “He said the jobs would come back. Instead, the factory shut down. My savings are gone, and groceries cost double. I voted for him twice — but not again.”

In Florida, a retiree said she’d defended Trump through every controversy, “but you can’t spin empty shelves and empty wallets.”

Political experts warn that these numbers could become irreversible if the administration fails to produce tangible relief in the coming months. “Approval ratings are not just numbers — they’re momentum,” noted historian Julian Zelizer. “Once a president loses public confidence on the economy, it’s almost impossible to regain.”

Behind closed doors, aides reportedly fear the polling freefall could trigger a donor panic ahead of the midterm season. Publicly, however, Trump’s team insists the storm will pass.

But to millions of struggling Americans, the storm has already arrived.

The man who once boasted, “I alone can fix it,” now faces a country whispering the opposite: “You broke it.”

And for the first time since his rise to power, Donald Trump is watching his empire of confidence crumble — not at the hands of his enemies, but under the weight of his own unkept promises.