By John Q. Hosedrinker 
President Trump’s approval rating among working-class Americans has dropped to historic lows, with a recent poll showing only 31% approval among those earning $50,000 or less. This decline reflects concerns over persistent affordability challenges, including rising prices and a slowing labor market. These economic anxieties are particularly pronounced among lower-income households, contributing to a negative outlook on the country’s direction. With the economy potentially slowing, future economic reports will likely shape Americans’ perception of Trump’s economic policies.
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Donald Trump’s approval rating hits rock bottom with working class, and the numbers are in – at least, according to a recent poll. It appears only 31 percent of those earning $50,000 or less approve of his performance. That’s a significant figure, but the real question is, what does it truly mean? And perhaps even more importantly, why are we even here?
Many people see this as a sign of trouble, particularly for someone who has consistently positioned himself as the champion of the working class. Given this reality, a drop in approval might be interpreted as a betrayal of sorts. But, let’s be honest, many people saw this coming. The economic policies he enacted, or supported, were always bound to create financial turmoil for the very people he claimed to represent. You don’t need a degree in economics to understand that policies that favor the wealthy often don’t benefit those struggling to make ends meet.
It’s a curious dynamic, isn’t it? Many people who voted for him, and some who voted for him *twice*, might still be supportive. Even if they disapprove, the fear of the opposing party keeps them in line. It’s a complicated web of politics, loyalty, and, let’s face it, perhaps a certain level of misinformation. His messaging seemed to have taken hold. Some supporters focused on his ability to “own the libs” and his shared hatred of minorities and the LGBTQ community.
It’s easy to understand why the remaining 4% might be unsure. However, the true question is, how can they not be sure? How can one’s mind not be made up about someone who seemingly acts in direct opposition to one’s well-being? In reality, 31% is still a significant number of people who, in some ways, support someone who seems to be working against their self-interest. It’s a testament to the power of rhetoric, identity politics, and perhaps, a genuine belief in the policies themselves, despite the potential consequences.
The irony, of course, is that the very people he’s purported to represent might be the ones most negatively affected by his policies. Many voted for him despite his obvious lack of concern for their financial well-being. It’s hard to ignore the sentiment that those who voted Republican are either wealthy, or perhaps, a bit too trusting of the promises made. We are talking about the potential for personal suffering for the sake of causing pain to those they disapprove of.
Yet, despite all of this, the approval rating, however low, is still too high. If you want a more accurate understanding of the situation, the working class should have *started* at rock bottom. The fact that the poll results are as they are demonstrates the power of a base that is not necessarily concerned with their own well-being, but more concerned with the perceived pain they inflict upon others. These numbers, despite the reality, do little more than serve the purpose of generating clicks.
It seems as if the story will be the same. The approval rating will continue to drop, but nothing much will change. The same voters who are disapproving will continue to vote, and the cycle continues. Even if the numbers say one thing, the reality on the ground might be completely different. There is a sense of inevitability, a feeling that this will continue, no matter the consequences. And in reality, the only hope is that time will tell.
However, the question arises: what will it take to change this? Are weekly approval ratings, constant reminders of the problem, really enough? The fear is that the base will continue to be there, voting against their best interests, blinded by identity politics and perhaps, simply, a deep-seated desire to see those they dislike, suffer. You can understand that a lot of Trump supporters have already made up their minds. And for many people, the focus is not on the objective proof of his lack of care for the working class, but on the perceived “wholesale theft of the country” by those they don’t agree with.
The problem, for many, is the number is still too high. The fact is, approval is too high, and that alone is something that is more than just a little disgusting. And perhaps, the only hope is that the working class, the ones who claim to be “working class,” finally realize that their interests are not being served.
And yet, despite all the evidence to the contrary, many will still vote for him, because that is what they are accustomed to. Racism is a drug that is highly addictive, and for some, the high is more important than reality. The only hope is that he fails, that his health takes a hit, and that perhaps, finally, the working class will realize that they have been played. At the end of the day, 31% still approving of his performance is a sad testament to a very divided nation.