Trump reaches lowest approval rating since returning to office

Amid ongoing investigations into child sex trafficker Jeffrey Epstein’s case and his connections with Donald Trump, as well as growing dissatisfaction among Americans over the government’s handling of high living costs, the latest Reuters/Ipsos survey found the U.S. president’s approval rating falling to 38 percent.

Trump began his second term in office with a 47 percent approval rating. This nine-point drop since January has pushed his overall popularity to the low levels of his first presidency and nearly matches the record-low approval rating of his Democratic predecessor, Joe Biden. Biden’s approval dropped to as low as 35 percent at its weakest point, while Trump’s approval in his first term had fallen to 33 percent.

The four-day survey, which concluded on Monday, comes as signs appear of weakening control by Trump over the Republican Party.

On Tuesday, the Republican-controlled House of Representatives passed a bill requiring the release of Justice Department files related to Jeffrey Epstein – a move Trump had opposed for months.

According to the new Reuters poll, Trump’s support within the Republican Party has fallen from 87 percent earlier this month (November) to 82 percent.

In the survey, only 20 percent of Americans – including 44 percent of Republicans – said they approved of Trump’s handling of the criminal case. Around 70 percent of respondents – including 87 percent of Democrats and 60 percent of Republicans – said the government is withholding information related to the case.