Trump Gains Ground on Border Security Despite Economic Concerns in Latest Poll

Trump Gains Ground on Border Security Despite Economic Concerns in Latest Poll

Recent data indicates that while former President Donald Trump continues to receive commendations for his handling of border security and public safety, his economic performance remains a significant concern for voters. The prevailing sentiment points to rising costs as a major hurdle, with only a select few asserting they are financially better off. Alarmingly, over half of the voters believe that the overall economic situation has deteriorated under the current administration.

A Fox News national survey reveals that by a striking 22-point margin, more voters perceive the Trump administration as having negatively impacted the economy. The poll recorded that 52% of respondents feel worse off compared to just 30% who believe things have improved. This disappointment mirrors sentiments expressed during the Biden administration and starkly contrasts the more favorable views held during Trump’s earlier term in office.

A Shift In Problematic Areas

Interestingly, certain economic issues have seen a slight improvement over the past year. Previously, 48% of voters identified gas prices as a critical concern for their families; that figure has since dropped to 33%, marking a 15-point decrease. Furthermore, fewer voters report that rising housing costs and grocery prices are pressing issues.

Conversely, worries about utility and healthcare costs have increased, suggesting that while some areas might be improving, others are becoming increasingly burdensome for households. The survey results continue to reflect an overall negative outlook on economic conditions, with a 71% disapproval rate compared to a mere 29% approval.

Persistent Voter Discontent

According to Republican pollster Daron Shaw, consumers remain unyielding in their expectations. “The question from Biden’s team last year focused on whether voters could adapt to an $8 box of cereal, and the resounding answer has been no,” Shaw explained. He pointed out that Trump’s team is grappling with similar perceptions, emphasizing that it is not enough for prices to stagnate; they need to decrease for the Republican Party to thrive in the upcoming elections.

Recent reports from the Labor Department corroborate voters’ frustrations, revealing employment forecasts for 2024 falling significantly short of earlier expectations. Economics continues to dominate public discourse, cited as the most critical issue by 37% of voters. This is followed by concerns about immigration and border security at 13%, healthcare at 11%, and political division also at 11%.

A Pessimistic Outlook for Future Generations

Looking toward the future, voters express increasing pessimism regarding the outlook for the next generation of Americans. The survey indicates that 62% of respondents believe life will be worse for the next generation, a marked increase from 53% the previous year. This sentiment is particularly pronounced among Democrats and independents, with nearly 80% leaning toward a bleak perspective.

When juxtaposed with the feelings of parents, who generally maintain a more optimistic outlook—44% of parents believe life will improve for their children compared to only 34% of those without children—a stark generational divide emerges. Among various demographics, 50% of fathers are optimistic about their children’s future, while only 37% of mothers share this belief.

Trump’s Approval Ratings: A Mixed Bag

Despite these troubling economic signs, Trump holds a solid approval rating regarding border security, with 57% expressing confidence in his performance on this issue. This figure marks not only a record for him in this domain but also places him high compared to his ratings on other key topics.

However, approval for Trump’s economic policies is less favorable, standing at just 39%, a slight uptick from his previously recorded low. Voter dissatisfaction is evident when it comes to his management of tariffs (36% approval) and the rising cost of living (32% approval).

Contrastingly, Trump scores higher on both immigration and crime, garnering support from 47% and 50% of voters, respectively. The apprehension regarding crime in neighborhoods has lessened, with only 32% of voters expressing substantial concern, a drop from earlier readings in 2021.

Congress and Administration Ratings

A considerable portion of the populace, around 53%, supports the idea of the federal government playing a role in policing crime in major urban areas. Furthermore, 51% have shown support for Trump’s decision to deploy National Guard troops in Washington, D.C., to assist local police.

Currently, Trump’s overall job approval rate hovers at 46%, with a 54% disapproval rate. His highest approval rating during this term was recorded at 49% in March. Among his core supporters, 88% of Republicans express approval, while his ratings are notably better among men under 45 years old and Hispanic voters.

Political Division and Trust in Institutions

Fox News’ survey reveals that a staggering two-thirds of voters feel the nation has become increasingly divided since Trump assumed office. This division is twice the number of respondents who believe he has had a unifying influence. Such perceptions substantially exceed the 54% who felt that then-President Biden was responsible for dividing the country four years earlier.

Trump’s favorability rating closely aligns with his job approval, sitting at 43% favorable compared to 57% unfavorable. Comparatively, other political figures like Vice President JD Vance and former Vice President Kamala Harris share similarly negative rankings.

Reflecting on Legal and Institutional Confidence

A sizable majority of voters—75%—believe that the president should always adhere to the rule of law, with 25% feeling that radical measures, including breaking laws, are necessary to rectify the country’s trajectory. This viewpoint has remained consistent since the end of 2023, with a marked difference in perspective between Republicans and Democrats regarding the need for a president willing to flout the law.

Confidence in local courts outstrips that of federal courts and the Supreme Court, suggesting a trend toward trusting local judicial systems. While faith in the Supreme Court is significantly higher among Republicans compared to independents and Democrats, there is a shared confidence in local courts among all voter demographics.

This survey, conducted from September 6 to 9, 2025, by Beacon Research and Shaw & Company Research, included interviews with a representative sample of 1,004 registered voters, providing a margin of error of ±3 percentage points for the overall results. Careful consideration was given to question phrasing and order to ensure clarity and accuracy in responses.

Contribution from Fox News’ Victoria Balara is acknowledged.