Lead: A Sept. 7, 2025 NBC News Decision Desk poll of 30,196 U.S. adults (Aug. 13–Sept. 1, margin of error ±1.9 points) finds President Donald Trump’s overall approval at 43% while 78% of respondents say they support using vaccines to prevent disease.
Key Takeaways
- Overall presidential approval: 43% approve, 57% disapprove.
- Economic handling weaker: 39% approve on inflation, 41% on trade and tariffs.
- Immigration ratings vary by question wording: 47% approve on “border security and immigration,” 43% on “deportations and border security.”
- Majorities prefer experienced political insiders (58%) over outsiders (42%); Republicans favor outsiders more than other groups.
- Inflation and cost of living top economic concern (45%).
- Strong bipartisan support for vaccines: 78% overall; 93% Democrats, 72% independents, 67% Republicans.
- Voter feelings polarized: 49% of Democrats say they are “furious” about the administration; among Republicans, 27% are “thrilled.”
Verified Facts
The NBC News Decision Desk Poll, conducted online by SurveyMonkey from Aug. 13 to Sept. 1, surveyed 30,196 adults and reports a margin of error of ±1.9 percentage points. Results show 43% of respondents approving of Trump’s job performance and 57% disapproving, similar to the survey’s June findings.
On issue-specific ratings, the president scores lower on economic matters: 39% approve of his handling of inflation and 41% approve of his handling of trade and tariffs. Immigration ratings shift depending on word choice: approval is 47% when asked about “border security and immigration” but 43% when the question mentioned “deportations and border security.”
The poll measured intensity of opinion: nearly half of Democrats (49%) report being “furious” about the administration’s actions. Among Republicans, 27% say they are “thrilled,” with further positive responses including 18% “happy” and 28% “satisfied.” Independents are largely negative or neutral, with only 8% reporting positive feelings and 56% reporting negative views.
On policy preferences, 58% of adults prefer a political insider with experience to get things done, while 42% prefer an outsider who would shake up the system. Partisan splits are marked: about 60% of Republicans favor outsiders, while roughly 75% of Democrats prefer insiders; about 60% of independents favor insiders as well.
Context & Impact
Economic worries remain dominant: 45% of respondents say inflation and the rising cost of living are the single most important economic issues for their families, far ahead of health-care costs, taxes, interest rates and housing. Regarding personal finances, about one-quarter report being better off than a year ago, roughly one-third report being worse off, and about 40% say their situation is about the same.
Crime and safety have risen in salience among Republicans: 18% now rank it as the top issue for them, five points higher than in June. Democrats and independents reported no meaningful change on that priority.
Vaccine attitudes show broad support across party lines. The poll asked about vaccines in general (not specific shots): 49% “strongly support” vaccine use and 78% “strongly or somewhat” support it. Party breakdowns: Democrats 93%, independents 72%, Republicans 67% in favor. However, about a third of Republicans and roughly three in 10 independents oppose vaccine use, and independents have moved about five points toward opposition since June.
Official Statements
The survey results “illustrate persistent public divisions on the administration’s record while showing broad, bipartisan backing for vaccines,” according to the NBC News Decision Desk Poll summary.
NBC News Decision Desk Poll / SurveyMonkey
Unconfirmed
- No causal link is established between the firing of the CDC director or actions by the health secretary and the poll’s vaccine or approval numbers; timing overlaps but causality is not measured.
- Long-term effects of recent policy moves and rhetoric on voter behavior and vaccine attitudes remain uncertain and are not resolved by a single cross-sectional poll.
Bottom Line
The poll shows persistent negative overall ratings for President Trump alongside strong, bipartisan support for vaccines. Economic concerns — especially inflation and cost of living — continue to shape voter priorities, while partisan divides remain deep on emotional reactions and candidate type preferences. These dynamics will influence mobilization and messaging ahead of key 2026 contests.