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Fact check: New CBS polling shows that voters have soured on Trump's handling of economic issues. 60% of voters now disapprove of his overall handling of the economy.

Checked on October 19, 2025

Executive Summary

The core claim — that a new CBS poll shows 60% of voters disapprove of President Trump’s handling of the economy and that voters have “soured” — is partially supported by the broader polling picture in the provided materials, which show significant declines in economic approval across several surveys in 2025. However, the specific CBS poll number (60%) is not directly present in the supplied sources; the closest corroborating figures show 55–61% disapproval in contemporaneous polls and reporting [1] [2] [3].

1. What the statement actually claims and why it matters

The original statement makes two linked assertions: first, that a “new CBS poll” records 60% disapproval of Trump’s overall economic handling; second, that voters have therefore “soured” on his economic stewardship. The supplied analyses include multiple polling snapshots and commentary showing a downward trend in economic approval during 2025, with specific reports of 42% approval / 55% disapproval in the CNBC-centered coverage [1] [2] and 39% approval in an April ABC/Washington Post/Ipsos poll [3]. These figures frame the claim as plausible in trend terms while flagging that the precise CBS figure isn’t in the provided dataset.

2. What the polls in the packet actually report — a tightening consensus

The packet contains several polls and analyses that converge on the finding of weakened economic approval: CNBC reporting a 42% approve / 55% disapprove split [1] [2] and ABC/WaPo/Ipsos showing 39% approval [3]. RealClearPolitics is referenced as aggregating various polls but without citing the exact CBS number presented in the claim [4]. Commentary pieces and CEO surveys in the packet add qualitative weight that corporate leaders and commentators perceive harm from Trump administration policies, bolstering the narrative that economic confidence has eroded [5] [6].

3. Timing and consistency: the trend across 2025

Across the dated entries, the most relevant polling and commentary cluster in April through October 2025. The ABC/WaPo/Ipsos result from April [3] precedes the CNBC coverage from mid-October [1] [2], both documenting sub-50% approval on the economy. Opinion pieces and analyses from September and December discuss policy effects — tariffs, budget impacts, inequality — that could explain falling approval [6] [7]. The packet therefore presents a consistent downward trajectory across several months rather than a single, isolated poll jump.

4. Points of agreement and disagreement among the sources

The sources agree that economic approval for the president declined in 2025 and that policy choices (tariffs, budget tradeoffs) are cited as contributing causes [6] [5]. They disagree on magnitudes and framing: some pieces emphasize corporate and elite criticism [5] while polls capture broader public sentiment with slightly varying percentages [1] [3]. Notably, the exact CBS figure of 60% disapproval is not present in the provided analyses, creating a gap between the specific claim and the packet’s evidence [4].

5. Missing context and methodological caveats that change interpretation

Key omissions in the packet: the actual CBS poll methodology, margin of error, sample composition, and timing are not supplied, preventing direct verification of the 60% figure [4]. Industry commentary and CEO surveys reflect elite perspectives that may not mirror mass public opinion [5]. Polls reported vary by field dates and question wording; differences of a few points (e.g., 55% vs. 60% disapproval) can stem from sample weighting, question framing, or timing around events like a shutdown or inflation headlines [1] [2] [3]. These methodological gaps limit certainty about the precise numeric claim.

6. Competing explanations for eroding economic confidence

The packet offers multiple explanations: rising inflation and a government shutdown are tied to falling approval in the CNBC/Newsweek reporting [1] [2]; tariff impacts and corporate complaints are highlighted in Los Angeles Times–style analysis and CEO polling [5] [6]; and critiques about budget choices and inequality point to distributional causes of discontent [7]. Each explanation aligns with different constituencies — consumers, business leaders, low-income households — indicating that “soured” sentiment is multi-causal rather than attributable to a single policy.

7. Bottom line: claim evaluation and what to watch next

Using only the supplied materials, the broader claim that voters have soured on Trump’s economic handling is supported: multiple contemporaneous polls show sub-50% approval and majority disapproval in 2025 [1] [2] [3]. The specific attribution to a “new CBS poll” reporting exactly 60% disapproval cannot be verified from the packet because the CBS poll details are not included [4]. Readers should treat the 60% figure as plausible within the documented trend but require the original CBS release for definitive confirmation and to assess margin of error, question wording, and timing.

Want to dive deeper?
What are the key economic issues driving voter disapproval of Trump's handling of the economy in 2025?
How does Trump's economic approval rating compare to other presidents at similar points in their terms?
What role do independent voters play in the disapproval of Trump's economic policies?
How have Trump's economic policies affected different demographic groups, such as low-income households or small business owners?
What are the implications of Trump's economic disapproval for the 2024 election?