March Harvard CAPS/Harris Poll: Trump's Approval Dips Slightly but Majority Still Favor Him

[Social Media]

 

A new Harvard CAPS/Harris poll for March 2025 shows a slight dip in former President Donald Trump's approval rating, now at 49%, a three-point drop from February. Despite this decrease, 54% of voters still believe he is performing better as president compared to Joe Biden. Trump's support remains strong among Republicans, men, white voters, those aged 25-64, and rural communities. Key policies, such as deporting illegal immigrants who have committed crimes (80%), closing the border (74%), and reducing government fraud and waste (72%), continue to receive high approval.

 

However, his policies on imposing tariffs on China, Mexico, and Canada (50%) and renaming the Gulf of Mexico (39%) remain less popular.

 

Public opinion on economic matters remains a key focus, with 38% of voters believing the U.S. economy is on the right track, a steady figure from last month and a 10-point increase since January 2025. Personal financial outlooks have shown minor improvement, with 33% stating their situation is getting better, up two points from February. However, concerns persist among Democrats, Independents, women, younger voters, Hispanics, and rural voters, who are more likely to feel their financial standing is worsening.

 

Economic issues dominate voter concerns, with inflation (43%) remaining the top issue, followed closely by the broader economy and immigration. Democratic Party approval remains low, with only 37% of voters expressing support—the lowest since March 2018, excluding February 2025, when it stood at 36%. While most Democratic and Black voters still back the party, 43% of Black voters and 34% of Democrats now disapprove. Additionally, 71% of voters believe the Democratic Party needs new, moderate leadership heading into the 2026 midterms and 2028 election, a sentiment shared by 57% of Democrats.

 

A majority of voters (55%) support moderate Democrats who are open to working with Trump, with only 27% of Democrats backing such cooperation, compared to 78% of Republicans and 59% of Independents. The debate over First Amendment rights for non-citizens remains contentious, with 62% believing illegal immigrants should not have the same free speech protections as U.S. citizens and should face deportation if they promote causes counter to U.S. foreign policy. 

 

National security remains a pressing issue, with 69% of voters supporting the federal government’s authority to revoke green cards and deport individuals who actively support U.S.-designated terrorist organizations such as Hamas. Republicans (86%) are the most supportive, followed by Independents (64%) and Democrats (55%). Additionally, 52% of voters agree that the president should be able to deport suspected Venezuelan criminal gang members without requiring a court trial.

 

According to the latest Harvard Harris Poll, two thirds of voters say the administration should be deporting foreign students who actively support terrorist movements.

 

On fiscal matters, 79% of voters want the government to balance the budget by reducing expenditures, though nearly half remain uncertain about the extent of necessary cuts. While 68% support a $1 trillion reduction in government spending, only 42% believe Elon Musk and DOGE can achieve this goal by year’s end. Nevertheless, 56% of voters view Musk and DOGE as key players in making significant government spending cuts, with support strongest among Republicans (83%) and weakest among Democrats (33%). Musk’s overall favorability has declined, shifting from neutral to a net 10-point unfavorable rating.

 

Support for Israel remains high, with 77% backing Israel over Hamas, and Trump’s handling of the conflict has gained favor, with 54% approval, a 21-point lead over Biden’s January 2025 numbers. Additionally, 72% of voters favor destroying Iran’s nuclear weapons facilities, and 59% support U.S. assistance in Israeli airstrikes targeting these sites. Military action in the Red Sea also garners broad support, with 71% of voters backing U.S. airstrikes against Houthi terrorists attacking American warships and obstructing the Suez Canal. Most voters (60%) agree that the U.S. should engage in such actions rather than leaving it to European forces.

 

The Ukraine-Russia conflict remains a divisive topic, with 70% of voters advocating for Ukraine to negotiate a settlement rather than prolong the war. Trump’s handling of the situation sees 56% approval, with 53% of voters rejecting the idea that he is abandoning Ukraine in favor of Russia. Party divisions persist, as only 29% of Democrats agree, compared to 73% of Republicans and 55% of Independents.

 

Overall, while Trump’s approval has slightly dipped, he still holds an edge over Biden in voters’ perceptions. Economic concerns, immigration policies, and national security remain top priorities, and the Democratic Party faces mounting pressure to adopt a more moderate approach heading into future elections.

 

 

Based on a report by PR Newswire  2025-04-03

 

https://harvardharrispoll.com/all-polls/

 

 

 

 

 

[thesetat]

9 hours ago, Social Media said:

Despite this decrease, 54% of voters still believe he is performing better as president compared to Joe Biden

This in itself should get the hardline Dems here pissed... I love it.. haha

[Chomper Higgot]

Re-run the poll after next week’s groceries shopping is done.

[riclag]

3 hours ago, thesetat said:

This in itself should get the hardline Dems here pissed... I love it.. haha

Its crazy ,.The Dems  are beating themselves up! Keying each other’s Electric cars! Setting fire to themselves.

Stopping in the  middle of traffic to beat up cars. Some are caught giving the bird and neglecting to watch the road as they run over innocent children. All the negative spinn on the Doge man and him.With all the dogwhistles of Lets take it to the Streets by The Dems and he’s still the GOAT. 
All that being said , Some want The GOAT to serve three terms.

https://ogles.house.gov/media/press-releases/rep-ogles-proposes-amending-22nd-amendment-allow-trump-serve-third-term

 

https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/congress/power-democratic-lawmakers-take-streets-rally-opposition-trump-rcna190842

[Jonnapat]

Idiots abound.

[candide]

It's a bit early to draw any conclusion but the evolution is interesting. 

 

https://www.realclearpolling.com/polls/approval/donald-trump/approval-rating

[Eric Loh]

19 hours ago, thesetat said:

This in itself should get the hardline Dems here pissed... I love it.. haha

Just wait for the April Report.

[WDSmart]

I don't favor him now; I never have and never will. And, yes, it does seem that in certain polls, the majority, or at least a large plurality, of US citizens polled support him. That, however, does not change my opinion. I'd rather be in the minority than support Trump and his government administration. 

[Chomper Higgot]

Meanwhile in Wisconsin.

[mrwebb8825]

5 hours ago, WDSmart said:

I'd rather be in the minority than support Trump and his government administration. 

When the DOGE check(s) and VA, SS benefit increases come just forward yours on to me. Heck, I'll even buy you a T-shirt: