Donald Trump's presidential job approval has dropped to the lowest point of his term, reaching 40%, according to a Reuters/Ipsos poll released on October 28. The survey, conducted from October 24–26, showed a 2 percentage point decline from the 42% approval reported in a prior poll (October 15–20).

Conversely, disapproval of the President's performance saw a significant increase, rising 5 percentage points to 57% in the latest survey, up from 52% in the preceding period.

Inflation Handling Draws Sharp Criticism 

Despite Trump's campaign focus on combating inflation, Americans gave his administration low marks for its response to the rising cost of living. Sixty-three percent of respondents disapproved of the President's handling of inflation, an increase from 58% earlier in the month. This suggests that the high cost of goods remains a major concern for the U.S. public.

Shutdown: Frustration but Limited Impact 

The partial federal government shutdown, which has lasted nearly a month, appeared to generate more frustration than outrage among the public. Only 20% of respondents reported feeling "angry" about the situation, while 50% described their reaction as simply "frustrated." A significant minority, 29%, stated they either "don't care" or "it's a good thing." The data indicates that for most Americans, the shutdown has had little to no impact on their daily lives.

Overwhelming Support for Obamacare Tax Credit Extension 

A key point of contention in the shutdown negotiations—the extension of Affordable Care Act (ACA or Obamacare) premium tax credits—received broad public support. Seventy-three percent of respondents favored extending the tax credits, which are set to expire at the end of the year.

Democrats are leveraging the impending expiration of these credits to demand their extension as part of the budget deal to reopen the government. Republicans, however, have insisted on prioritizing the immediate return to government functionality before engaging in broader ACA discussions.

[ⓒ Global Economic Times. 무단전재-재배포 금지]