Trump economic approval drops to 30 percent in new polling
The Hill·60-word summary·1 min read
President Trump’s economic approval rating has fallen to 30 percent in April, according to an AP-NORC poll released on Wednesday. This marks an 8-point decline from March and a 9-point drop from February, amid economic strains linked to the Iran war. The decline reflects growing unpopularity of Trump’s fiscal policies during a period of economic tension.
On April 19, 2026, former President Trump criticized Supreme Court justices, calling them “weak, stupid, and bad” in a Truth Social post. He specifically targeted conservative justices over a recent tariffs decision and his efforts to limit birthright citizenship, accusing them of lacking unity and questioning their loyalty to Republican principles.
Linda McMahon, a former pro-wrestling executive, is now serving as the education secretary, appointed by former President Trump, with the goal of dismantling the Department of Education. Her background in WWE reportedly influenced her approach to the role. The effort to abolish the agency has garnered attention, highlighting her transition from entertainment to a political position focused on education policy.
Congress’s approval rating has plummeted to 10 percent, according to a Gallup poll released on Wednesday. The survey shows 86 percent of respondents disapprove of federal lawmakers’ performance, marking one of the lowest approval levels in Gallup’s history, just above the previous record low of 9 percent. The poll highlights widespread discontent across political lines.
Iran has shut down its access to the global internet, prompting some Iranians to cross into Turkey to access online services. This move, aimed at controlling information, has led to increased border crossings for basic internet needs, including video calls. The restrictions highlight ongoing tensions between government censorship and citizens' desire for open communication.
The DOJ has withdrawn subpoenas related to the investigation of former CIA Director John Brennan, according to reports on April 22, 2026. The department initially issued a few subpoenas over the weekend for witnesses to appear before a grand jury in Washington, D.C., but later informed lawyers on Monday evening that those subpoenas were retracted.
Sen. Maggie Hassan questioned HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. on April 22 about videos from official accounts she called "vanity projects." She also inquired whether President Trump authorized the use of department funds for these videos. The discussion highlights ongoing scrutiny of government spending and messaging practices within the Department of Health and Human Services.