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AUGUST HARVARD CAPS / HARRIS POLL: 54% OF VOTERS SAY TRUMP IS DOING A BETTER JOB THAN BIDEN, UP 3 PTS. FROM JULY, AS APPROVAL RATING STABILIZES AT 47%

News Provided By:

Stagwell Inc.

Published Date

August 25, 2025, 11:24 AM ET

48% OF VOTERS SAY INFLATION IS THE MOST IMPORTANT ISSUE TO THEM PERSONALLY

54% OF VOTERS SAY TRUMP’S ACTIONS IN WASHINGTON, D.C. ARE JUSTIFIED AND NECESSARY

66% OF VOTERS WANT LAWMAKERS TO PRESSURE THE ADMINISTRATION FOR MORE INFORMATION ON EPSTEIN

52% OF VOTERS SATISFIED WITH TRUMP’S NEGOTIATIONS ON THE WAR IN UKRAINE, A 5 PT. INCREASE FROM LAST MONTH

NEW YORK and CAMBRIDGE, Mass., Aug. 25, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Stagwell (NASDAQ: STGW) today released the results of the August Harvard CAPS / Harris poll, a monthly collaboration between the Center for American Political Studies at Harvard (CAPS) and the Harris Poll and HarrisX.

President Donald Trump’s approval rating is at 47%, with highest approval among Republican, male, white, 25-44 y.o., and rural voters. Trump’s job approval is highest on fighting crime in U.S. cities (51%), immigration (50%), and returning America to its values (50%), and lowest on handling inflation (41%) and tariffs and trade policy (41%). This month’s poll also covered public opinion on the economy and jobs, crime, the Epstein case, conflicts in the Middle East, and the war in Ukraine. Download the key results here.

“Trump has really solidified his political base and is maintaining every point of it,” said Mark Penn, Co-Director of the Harvard CAPS / Harris poll and Stagwell Chairman and CEO. “He is working on a lot of initiatives that will take time to pan out – but unless there is peace in one of these foreign conflicts or a clear consensus about the economy, the country will likely remain in a partisan rut.”

INFLATION AND AFFORDABILITY REMAINS TOP ISSUE FOR VOTERS

  • 34% of voters continue to single out price increases, inflation, and affordability as the most important issue facing the country today (+3 pts., July 2025). 26% of voters say it is immigration (-3).
  • 38% of voters say the economy is on the right track, stable from last month.
  • 42% of voters say their personal financial situation is getting worse, particularly among Democrats, Independents, women, and Hispanic voters.
  • Among key political figures, Trump has the highest favorability at 46% (-2 net unfavorable), followed by Robert F. Kennedy Jr. (+7 net favorable). Voters have a more unfavorable view of Elon Musk (-15 net unfavorable) and President Joe Biden (-14 net unfavorable).

CONTINUED MAJORITY SUPPORT FOR TRUMP’S POLICIES BUT WEAKNESS AROUND INFLATION AND FOREIGN POLICY

  • 14 out of 15 of Trump’s policies continue to receive majority support, with his most popular policies being lowering prescription drug prices for Medicare recipients and low-income patients (86%), deporting illegal immigrants who have committed crimes (75%), and eliminating fraud and waste in government expenditures (73%).
  • 54% of voters say Trump is doing a better job than Joe Biden did as president (+3 pts., July 2025).
  • 62% of voters say Democrats should take more of a wait-and-see attitude toward Trump’s actions (Democrats: 35%; Republicans: 85%; Independents: 66%).
  • 55% of voters say Trump’s policies will increase inflation (Democrats: 83%; Republicans: 33%; Independents: 51%), and 55% say his tariffs are harming the economy.
  • 59% of voters say Trump will not solve the Ukraine war, and 64% of voters say Trump will not solve the Israel-Hamas war (+5).

MIXED PERCEPTIONS ON JOBS AND JOB REPORT RELIABILITY

  • 51% of voters say Trump’s policies are leading to more jobs in the country (+2). Voters are similarly split on whether his policies are strengthening the economy (51%) and leading to more investment in the country (52%).
  • Voters are split 50-50 on whether job numbers have been reliable. 59% of Democrats and Independents say they have not been reliable, while 65% of Republicans say they are reliable.
  • 53% of voters say the firing of the head of the Bureau of Labor Statistics was politically motivated.
  • 54% of voters say the U.S. is currently not in a recession (-2), though 58% of Democrats continue to believe the U.S. is in a recession.

VOTERS VIEW AMERICAN CITIES AS UNSAFE, APPROVE OF TRUMP’S ACTIONS IN WASHINGTON, D.C.

  • 54% of voters say Trump’s actions in Washington, D.C. are justified and necessary (Democrats: 28%; Republicans: 85%; Independents: 47%).
  • 40% of voters, a plurality, say crime in the U.S. is increasing.
  • 56% of voters say typical large American cities are unsafe, especially New York City (63%) and Los Angeles (62%). A majority of voters (55%) say the current level of crime in D.C. is about the same as other parts of the country.
  • 54% of voters support the Trump administration declaring a crime emergency in D.C. and the deployment of the National Guard, but 53% of voters oppose Trump’s use of his presidential authority to take over local police.
  • 54% of voters say Trump’s actions in D.C. are a distraction from other unpopular policies and personal problems.
  • 73% of voters say Trump’s deployment of the National Guard in D.C. is a signal he will perform similar actions in other cities in the future, including a majority across political parties.

MAJORITY OF VOTERS WANT TRANSPARENCY IN THE EPSTEIN CASE, SAYING IT WILL AFFECT THEIR OPINION OF TRUMP

  • 65% of voters say transparency in the Epstein case is important to their opinion of Trump (Democrats: 76%; Republicans: 60%; Independents: 59%).
  • 72% of voters say they are familiar with the Jeffrey Epstein case, and 63% have heard of the Department of Justice and FBI memo of findings released in July 2025.
  • 42% of voters say Trump has handled the Epstein case poorly, with a plurality of voters saying the same for FBI officials and Attorney General Pam Bondi.
  • 79% of voters say the Epstein case likely involves a cover-up by powerful elites, including a majority across political parties.
  • 66% of voters say lawmakers should pressure the Trump administration to release more information about the Epstein case (Democrats: 85%; Republicans: 47%; Independents: 67%).
  • Voters trust independent media (e.g. journalists or podcasts) the most when it comes to full transparency on the Epstein case (52%) over the FBI (47%), DOJ (45%), mainstream news outlets (44%), Trump (39%), and Congress (39%).

VOTERS BLAME HAMAS FOR FAMINE IN GAZA, CONTINUING TO SUPPORT ISRAEL IN CONFLICT

  • 74% of voters continue to support Israel over Hamas in the Israel-Hamas conflict (-3). 51% of voters disapprove of Israel’s conduct during the conflict, while 77% disapprove of Hamas’ conduct.
  • 53% of voters support Trump’s handling of the Israel-Hamas conflict thus far.
  • 69% of voters say there is a famine in Gaza, including a majority across age groups and political parties. 61% believe Hamas is responsible for the famine (Democrats: 50%; Republicans: 74%; Independents: 60%).
  • Voters are split on whether they believe criticism of Israel is motivated more by concern for Palestinian human rights (51%) or antisemitism (49%), as well as whether they believe Israel is committing a genocide in Gaza (50-50).
  • 57% of voters support the U.S. providing offensive military aid to Israel (Democrats: 44%; Republicans: 74%; Independents: 51%).
  • 85% of voters say the U.S. should continue to take all actions necessary to prevent Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon (+5). 67% favor a negotiated deal that permanently blocks nuclear weapons development.

TRUMP GIVEN CREDIT FOR HIS EFFORTS TO END WAR IN UKRAINE

  • 66% of voters support Trump’s efforts to end the war in Ukraine. 52% say they are satisfied with how Trump is managing negotiations to end the war between Ukraine and Russia (+5).
  • 57% of voters agree Trump deserves a lot of credit for pulling off these meetings regardless of whether he succeeds (Democrats: 31%; Republicans: 87%; Independents: 52%). 60% say Biden was not capable of pulling off such meetings with world leaders.
  • 60% of voters say the meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin was unsuccessful in advancing peace, while 51% of voters say the meeting with Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and European leaders was successful.
  • 67% of voters say Putin is playing games and stalling with the U.S. and the West (-6). 67% say Zelenskyy genuinely wants to end the war (+6).
  • 67% of voters say the Trump administration should continue to provide weaponry to Ukraine and impose further economic sanctions on Russia (+2), including a majority across political parties. 69% of voters say Ukraine should receive direct security guarantees from the U.S. if it makes concessions to end the war (+4).

The August Harvard CAPS / Harris poll survey was conducted online within the United States on August 20-21, 2025, among 2,025 registered voters by The Harris Poll and HarrisX. Follow the Harvard CAPS / Harris poll podcast at https://www.markpennpolls.com/ or on iHeart Radio, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and other podcast platforms.

About The Harris Poll & HarrisX

The Harris Poll is a global consulting and market research firm that strives to reveal the authentic values of modern society to inspire leaders to create a better tomorrow. It works with clients in three primary areas: building twenty-first-century corporate reputation, crafting brand strategy and performance tracking, and earning organic media through public relations research. One of the longest-running surveys in the U.S., The Harris Poll has tracked public opinion, motivations, and social sentiment since 1963, and is now part of Stagwell, the challenger holding company built to transform marketing.

HarrisX is a technology-driven market research and data analytics company that conducts multi-method research in the U.S. and over 40 countries around the world on behalf of Fortune 100 companies, public policy institutions, global leaders, NGOs and philanthropic organizations. HarrisX was the most accurate pollster of the 2020 U.S. presidential election.

About the Harvard Center for American Political Studies
The Center for American Political Studies (CAPS) is committed to and fosters the interdisciplinary study of U.S. politics. Governed by a group of political scientists, sociologists, historians, and economists within the Faculty of Arts and Sciences at Harvard University, CAPS drives discussion, research, public outreach, and pedagogy about all aspects of U.S. politics. CAPS encourages cutting-edge research using a variety of methodologies, including historical analysis, social surveys, and formal mathematical modeling, and it often cooperates with other Harvard centers to support research training and encourage cross-national research about the United States in comparative and global contexts. More information at https://caps.gov.harvard.edu/.

Contact:
Carrie Hsu
pr@stagwellglobal.com

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August 2025

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July 2025

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JULY HARVARD CAPS / HARRIS POLL: OPINIONS ON ``BIG BEAUTIFUL BILL`` SPLIT WITH 44% OF VOTERS SUPPORTING IT, BUT MOST POLICIES HAVE MAJORITY SUPPORT WITH MANY POPULAR TAX CUTS

News Provided By:

Stagwell Inc.

Published Date

July 14, 2025, 10:02 AM ET

45% OF VOTERS SAY INFLATION AND AFFORDABILITY IS THE MOST IMPORTANT ISSUE TO THEM PERSONALLY, UP 6 POINTS FROM JUNE

69% OF VOTERS SAY BIDEN’S OPEN BORDER WAS A DELIBERATE POLICY

80% OF VOTERS SUPPORT THE U.S. TAKING ALL ACTIONS NECESSARY TO PREVENT IRAN FROM OBTAINING A NUCLEAR WEAPON

NEW YORK and CAMBRIDGE, Mass., July 14, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Stagwell (NASDAQ: STGW) today released the results of the July Harvard CAPS / Harris poll, a monthly collaboration between the Center for American Political Studies at Harvard (CAPS) and the Harris Poll and HarrisX.

President Donald Trump’s approval rating is at 47% (+1 pt., June 2025), with highest approval among Republican, male, 35-44 y.o., white, and rural voters. Trump’s job approval continues to be strongest on immigration (50%) and returning America to its values (50%), and weakest on tariffs and trade policy (42%) and handling inflation (42%). This month’s poll also covered public opinion on the economy, immigration, the “Big Beautiful Bill,” tariffs, conflicts in the Middle East, and the war in Ukraine. Download the key results here.

“Trump’s approval rating has stabilized, but it’s a split electorate and the administration will ultimately rise or fall based on his ability to handle inflation,” said Mark Penn, Co-Director of the Harvard CAPS / Harris poll and Stagwell Chairman and CEO. “But the administration has a lot to work with in terms of gaining support for the ‘Big Beautiful Bill’ with many individual policy proposals and tax cuts in the bill popular across political parties.”

VOTERS WHO STRONGLY DISAPPROVE OF TRUMP TICKS UP BUT DEMOCRATIC PARTY APPROVAL RATING REMAINS UNDERWATER

  • 38% of voters say they strongly disapprove of the job Trump is doing as President, up 6 points from February 2025. But the Democratic Party approval rating remains low at 40% (-2 pts., June 2025), while the Republican Party approval rating is at 48% (+1).
  • 56% of voters say the economy is on the wrong track.
  • 43% of voters say their personal financial situation is getting worse (+4 pts., May 2025). Democrats, Independents, women, 55-64 y.o., Black, and rural voters are more likely than not to say it is getting worse.
  • Inflation, immigration, the economy, and healthcare are the top important issues for voters today, with 24% prioritizing healthcare (+6).
  • Among key political figures, Trump has the highest favorability at 47% (0 net favorable), followed by Robert F. Kennedy Jr. (+5 net favorable). Voters have a more unfavorable view of Elon Musk (-16 net unfavorable) and Chuck Schumer (-15 net unfavorable). Most voters have not heard of or have no opinion of Zohran Mamdani (-8 net unfavorable).

VOTERS SUPPORT MOST OF TRUMP’S POLICIES FROM HIS FIRST SIX MONTHS BUT ARE MORE PESSIMISTIC ON TRADE DEALS AND FOREIGN CONFLICTS

  • The large majority of Trump’s policies continue to have majority support, with 85% of voters supporting lowering prescription drug prices for Medicare recipients and low-income patients, and 79% of voters supporting deporting illegal immigrants who have committed crimes. On the other hand, 56% of voters oppose making cost cuts to Medicaid by adding work requirements, and 49% of voters oppose placing tariffs on China, Mexico, and Canada.
  • 55% of voters support the decision of the Supreme Court to limit the ability of individual federal judges to issue nationwide injunctions, including 33% of Democrats.
  • 43% of voters, a plurality, say Trump is doing worse than expected (Democrats: 70%; Republicans: 14%; Independents: 47%).
  • 49% of voters believe Trump is making good deals on behalf of the country (-3 pts., June 2025).
  • 59% of voters say Trump will not solve the Israel-Hamas conflict (-6).

17 OUT OF 21 POLICY PROPOSALS WITHIN THE “BIG BEAUTIFUL BILL” HAVE MAJORITY SUPPORT AMONG THOSE WHO HAVE HEARD OF THE BILL

  • 80% of voters have heard of the “Big Beautiful Bill” (+13).
  • 44% of voters support the bill (+4), while 44% oppose it (+2). Among those who have heard of the bill, 48% of voters oppose it (+2 net oppose; Democrats: 70%; Republicans: 19%; Independents: 45%).
  • Policy proposals within the bill like expanding health savings accounts for farmers (76%), reducing federal spending by $1.3 trillion (69%), increasing the child tax credit (67%), eliminating taxes on tips (66%), boosting military and naval spending (66%), and investing in rural broadband (66%) are the most popular, with majority support across political parties and among those who have heard of the bill.
  • Taxing remittances sent abroad (43%) and removing tax and registration for firearm silencers (31%) have the lowest support among the bill’s policies.
  • 52% of voters say making 2017 tax cuts permanent will increase federal debt (+12 pts., June 2025).

VOTERS NOW SEE THE ECONOMY SOLIDLY IN TRUMP’S HANDS

  • 62% of voters say Trump is mostly responsible for the state of the economy today (+7), including a majority across political parties.
  • 53% of voters trust the Trump administration and Republicans more than Democrats in Congress to manage the economy (+3).
  • 56% of voters say Trump is losing the battle against inflation and that his tariffs are harming the economy.
  • 56% of voters say the U.S. is not in a recession, though 59% of Democrats say we are in a recession.
  • 46% of voters, a plurality, say recent economic news is mostly negative, though more voters say they’ve seen mostly positive news stories in the last few weeks (31%; +7 pts., June 2025).

TRUMP IMMIGRATION POLICIES RECEIVE STRONG SUPPORT, WITH TWO-THIRDS OF VOTERS ATTRIBUTING OPEN BORDER TO BIDEN ADMINISTRATION

  • 60% of voters support the Trump administration’s efforts to close the southern border (-3 pts., June 2025; Democrats: 34%; Republicans: 89%; Independents: 55%), and 75% support the administration’s efforts to deport criminals who are here illegally, including a majority across political parties.
  • 67% of voters say the border was open rather than secure under the Biden administration, and 69% say it was a deliberate policy (Democrats: 48%; Republicans: 88%; Independents: 60%).
  • 79% of voters say convicted criminals who are here illegally should be deported after their sentence is over, including a majority across parties.
  • 65% of voters oppose allowing cities and towns to block the deportation of convicted criminals (Democrats: 52%; Republicans: 72%; Independents: 69%).
  • 59% say more due process is needed to prevent unfair deportations, and 52% of voters say Democrats are fighting for human rights in defending deportations.
  • 55% of voters support automatic citizenship for the children of those who are here illegally, and 65% say the Constitution requires birthright citizenship (Democrats: 77%; Republicans: 54%; Independents: 66%).

U.S. STRIKE ON IRAN SEES MAJORITY SUPPORT; VOTERS WANT THE U.S. TO DEFEND ISRAEL IF IRAN RETALIATES

  • 78% of voters support Israel over Iran in the Israel–Iran conflict, including a majority across political parties and age groups.
  • 58% of voters support the Trump administration’s strike on Iran’s nuclear sites last month, including a majority of voters over 25 y.o., and 54% say it was a major accomplishment of the U.S. military.
  • 51% of voters say the strike did severe damage to Iran’s nuclear program.
  • 61% of voters support the U.S. defending Israel if Iran retaliates (Democrats: 51%; Republicans: 76%; Independents: 55%), and 86% say Iran should not be allowed to obtain a nuclear weapon.
  • 61% of voters favor a permanent deal preventing nuclear weapons development over a temporary deal.

MAJORITY OF VOTERS WANT HAMAS TO LEAVE GAZA

  • 77% of voters support Israel over Hamas in the Israel-Hamas conflict, and 80% say Hamas must release all remaining hostages without any conditions, including a majority across political parties and age groups.
  • 56% of voters say Israel should only make a deal with Hamas if Hamas leaves Gaza (Democrats: 48%; Republicans: 62%: Independents: 56%).
  • 53% of voters support Trump’s handling of the Israel-Hamas conflict (+2).

VOTERS WANT TRUMP TO BE TOUGHER ON PUTIN WITH CONTINUED SUPPORT FOR PROVIDING WEAPONRY TO UKRAINE

  • 60% of voters say Trump has not been tough enough with Putin (Democrats: 73%; Republicans: 48%; Independents: 58%).
  • 53% of voters say they are not satisfied with Trump’s handling of Ukraine–Russia talks (+6 net unsatisfied).
  • 65% of voters support continuing to provide weaponry to Ukraine and sanctioning Russia (+3 pts., June 2025), including a majority across political parties.
  • 72% of voters say America’s relationship with Ukraine is more valuable than with Russia (+4).
  • 73% of voters say Russian President Vladimir Putin is playing games and stalling with the West rather than genuinely wanting to end the war in Ukraine.

The July Harvard CAPS / Harris poll survey was conducted online within the United States on July 6-8, 2025, among 2,044 registered voters by The Harris Poll and HarrisX. Follow the Harvard CAPS / Harris poll podcast at https://www.markpennpolls.com/ or on iHeart Radio, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and other podcast platforms.

About The Harris Poll & HarrisX

The Harris Poll is a global consulting and market research firm that strives to reveal the authentic values of modern society to inspire leaders to create a better tomorrow. It works with clients in three primary areas: building twenty-first-century corporate reputation, crafting brand strategy and performance tracking, and earning organic media through public relations research. One of the longest-running surveys in the U.S., The Harris Poll has tracked public opinion, motivations, and social sentiment since 1963, and is now part of Stagwell, the challenger holding company built to transform marketing.

HarrisX is a technology-driven market research and data analytics company that conducts multi-method research in the U.S. and over 40 countries around the world on behalf of Fortune 100 companies, public policy institutions, global leaders, NGOs and philanthropic organizations. HarrisX was the most accurate pollster of the 2020 U.S. presidential election.

About the Harvard Center for American Political Studies
The Center for American Political Studies (CAPS) is committed to and fosters the interdisciplinary study of U.S. politics.  Governed by a group of political scientists, sociologists, historians, and economists within the Faculty of Arts and Sciences at Harvard University, CAPS drives discussion, research, public outreach, and pedagogy about all aspects of U.S. politics. CAPS encourages cutting-edge research using a variety of methodologies, including historical analysis, social surveys, and formal mathematical modeling, and it often cooperates with other Harvard centers to support research training and encourage cross-national research about the United States in comparative and global contexts. More information at https://caps.gov.harvard.edu/.

Contact:
Carrie Hsu
pr@stagwellglobal.com

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July 2025

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July 2025

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July 2025

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June 2025

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June 2025

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JUNE HARVARD CAPS / HARRIS POLL: TRUMP APPROVAL STRONGEST ON IMMIGRATION AND 56% OF VOTERS SUPPORT BRINGING IN THE NATIONAL GUARD TO STAVE OFF RIOTS

News Provided By:

Stagwell Inc.

Published Date

June 16, 2025, 08:47 AM ET

56% OF VOTERS SAY TRUMP IS LOSING THE BATTLE AGAINST INFLATION

VOTERS FAVOR TRUMP OVER MUSK IN FEUD BUT 52% OF VOTERS THINK THE “BIG BEAUTIFUL BILL” WILL MAKE THE ECONOMY WORSE

67% OF VOTERS BELIEVE THE CURRENT LEVEL OF U.S. FEDERAL DEBT IS UNSUSTAINABLE, UP 5 PTS. FROM MAY

60% OF VOTERS WANT THE ADMINISTRATION TO SUPPORT ISRAEL EFFORT TO TAKE OUT IRAN’S NUCLEAR WEAPONS PROGRAM; 85% SAY IRAN MUST NOT OBTAIN NUKES

NEW YORK and CAMBRIDGE, Mass., June 16, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Stagwell (NASDAQ: STGW) today released the results of the June Harvard CAPS / Harris poll, a monthly collaboration between the Center for American Political Studies at Harvard (CAPS) and the Harris Poll and HarrisX.

President Donald Trump’s approval rating is at 46% (-6 pts. from Feb. 2025), with highest approval among Republican, male, 25-44 y.o., white, and rural voters. Trump’s job approval is strongest on immigration (49%) and returning America to its values (48%), and weakest on tariffs and trade policy (41%) and handling inflation (42%). This month’s poll also featured a special report on Middle East-focused issues and covered public opinion on the economy, immigration, government efficiency, taxes, and Ukraine. Download the key results here.

“Trump continues to see the support of those who voted for him, hanging in there with the approval ratings and healthy support of his job on immigration,” said Mark Penn, Co-Director of the Harvard CAPS / Harris poll and Stagwell Chairman and CEO. “Whether the presidency gets back to approval ratings in the 50’s will depend on whether people get a sense of lower inflation and economic prosperity.”

VOTERS SLIGHTLY MORE OPTIMISTIC ABOUT THE STRENGTH OF THE U.S. ECONOMY, STILL PRIORITIZING INFLATION

  • 52% of voters say the U.S. economy is strong today (+6 pts. since Apr. 2025).
  • 39% of voters say the U.S. economy is on the right track.
  • Inflation (34%) and immigration (32%) remain the top two issues for voters, with more voters saying immigration is the most important issue facing the country today compared to last month (+5).
  • Immigration is especially important to Republican voters and voters over 65 y.o., while Democrats, Independents, 35-64 y.o., Hispanic, and suburban voters are especially concerned about inflation.
  • 39% of voters and a plurality across political parties say inflation is the most important issue to them personally.

REPUBLICAN PARTY APPROVAL RATING DIPS, THOUGH VOTERS HOLD FAVORABLE VIEWS TOWARD KEY REPUBLICAN POLITICIANS

  • The Republican Party’s approval rating is at 47% (-5), with disapproval highest among Democrats, Independents, 18-24 y.o., Black, and Hispanic voters. Meanwhile, the Democratic Party’s approval rating is steady at 42%.
  • Among key politicians today, voters have a more favorable view of Robert F. Kennedy Jr. (+6 net favorable), Vice President J.D. Vance (+2), and Mike Johnson (+2), and a more unfavorable view of Chuck Schumer (-14), Elon Musk (-13), and Karen Bass (-9).
  • Of key institutions, voters have the most favorable views of the U.S. military (+64 net favorable) and police (+40), and hold net positive views on Harvard (+24) and Columbia (+14) University.

MOST TRUMP POLICIES CONTINUE TO SEE MAJORITY SUPPORT, WITH VOTERS TAKING A WAIT-AND-SEE ATTITUDE

  • A majority of voters support most of Trump’s policies, with lowering prescription drug prices for Medicare recipients and low-income patients (84% support), deporting illegal immigrants who have committed crimes (80%), and eliminating fraud and waste in government expenditures (74%) the most popular, including a majority across political parties.
  • 58% of voters want Democrats to take a wait-and-see attitude toward Trump’s policies.
  • 55% of voters support moderate Democrats who are willing to compromise with Trump over Democrats calling to “fight harder” against the administration.
  • 44% of voters, a plurality, say Trump is doing worse than expected as president (+1), 29% say he is doing better than expected (-2), and 26% say he is doing as expected (0).

MAJORITY OF VOTERS SUPPORT SENDING REINFORCEMENT TO HALT VIOLENCE TOWARD FEDERAL AGENTS BUT BLAME TRUMP FOR ESCALATION OF L.A. RIOTS

  • A majority of voters continue to support the administration’s immigration measures, with 63% supporting its actions to close the southern border and 74% supporting its efforts to deport illegal immigrants who have committed crimes.
  • 57% of voters support moves by Democrats to stop deportations until deportees can have trials (Democrats: 79%; Republicans: 33%; Independents: 61%).
  • 62% of voters are familiar with the case of Kilmar Abrego Garcia. Of those who have heard of his case, 57% believe he is likely a MS-13 gang member.
  • 71% of voters believe sanctuary cities and states who oppose the administration’s immigration policies should deploy their police force to stop violence towards federal agents, including a majority across political parties.
  • 55% of voters blame Trump for the escalation of immigration-related unrest in Los Angeles over L.A. Mayor Karen Bass and California Governor Gavin Newson (Democrats: 69%; Republicans: 44%; Independents: 52%).

VOTERS WANT TO BALANCE THE BUDGET BUT DON’T WANT CUTS TO ENTITLEMENT PROGRAMS

  • 79% of voters believe the U.S. government should move to balance the budget in the next few years (Democrats: 74%; Republicans: 86%; Independents: 77%).
  • Voters prioritize reducing the budget deficit over keeping federal government spending and defense spending at their current levels, but view keeping spending on entitlement programs at their current levels as equally important.
  • 42% of voters, a plurality, believe cutting government programs like EV tax credits and scientific research is not justified for the purpose of reducing the deficit.
  • Of federal programs, voters most strongly believe LGBTQ+ studies, foreign aid, and EV credits should see significant cuts, favoring keeping current levels of spending for social security, veterans benefits, and Medicare.

CONCERN THE “BIG BEAUTIFUL BILL” WILL ADD TO FEDERAL DEBT

  • 67% of voters have heard about Trump’s “Big Beautiful Bill,” with 50% of voters who have heard of the bill, a plurality, opposing it.
  • 42% of voters, a plurality, believe the bill will add too much to the federal debt.
  • 58% of voters say the amount of taxes they are paying has increased over the last few years.
  • Of the bill’s policy proposals, voters most strongly support expanding health savings accounts and increasing support for farmers (70%), ranchers, and disaster recovery, reducing federal spending by $1.3 trillion (66%), and increasing the child tax credit to $2,500 per family (62%).
  • 49% of voters say they trust neither Trump nor Elon Musk on economic policy, though more voters trust Trump over Musk (+26 net). More voters also believe Trump is acting more in the public interest than Musk (+19).

MAJORITY OF VOTERS BELIEVE TRUMP’S TARIFFS ARE HARMING THE ECONOMY

  • 57% of voters say Trump’s tariff policies are harming the economy.
  • 56% of voters say Trump is losing the battle against inflation (Democrats: 85%; Republicans: 24%; Independents: 61%). 55% of voters hold him responsible for the state of today’s economy.
  • 52% of voters think President Trump is making good deals on behalf of the country (+3), with 56% of voters believing he will reach a deal with China.
  • 53% of voters believe the media is fairly reporting on the economy.
  • 56% of voters do not believe we are currently in a recession, though 55% of Democrats believe we are in one.

PESSIMISM ON WHETHER TRUMP CAN RESOLVE FOREIGN CONFLICTS AMIDST CONTINUED SUPPORT FOR UKRAINE

  • A majority of voters don’t believe Trump can solve foreign conflicts, with 63% of voters saying they do not believe Trump will solve the Ukraine war (+5), and 65% of voters saying they do not believe he will solve the Israel-Hamas war (+6).
  • 73% of voters believe Russian President Vladimir Putin is playing games and stalling rather than genuinely wanting to end the war in Ukraine (+7).
  • 61% of voters say Trump has not been tough enough on Putin.
  • 62% of voters support the administration continuing to provide weaponry to Ukraine and impose sanctions on Russia, including a majority across political parties.
  • 68% of voters say the U.S.’ relationship with Ukraine is more valuable than that with Russia, favoring Ukraine’s minerals agreement and military actions over Russia’s nuclear power and potential position as a counterweight to China.

VOTERS WANT THE ELIMINATION OF IRAN’S NUCLEAR ENRICHMENT PROGRAM AS A PRECONDITION FOR ANY U.S.-IRAN DEAL

  • 74% of voters say Iran giving up nuclear enrichment should be a precondition for any U.S.-Iran deal (Democrats: 72%; Republicans: 73%; Independents; 76%).
  • 60% of voters support Trump opening negotiations with Iran directly over nuclear weapons.
  • 32% of voters say such negotiations would lead to a good deal (-7 pts., May 2025), 23% say they would lead to a bad deal, and 45% say they would lead to no deal at all.

MAJORITY OF VOTERS SUPPORT MILITARY ACTION TO TAKE OUT IRAN’S NUCLEAR WEAPONS PROGRAM

  • 85% of voters say Iran should not be allowed to obtain a nuclear weapon, including a strong majority across political parties.
  • 54% of voters support taking out Iran’s nuclear weapons program with a U.S. military operation.
  • 60% of voters say the administration should support an Israel effort to take out Iran’s nuclear weapons program if there is no acceptable deal (Democrats: 47%; Republicans: 78%; Independents: 54%).

VOTERS SAY ISRAEL IS JUSTIFIED IN MILITARY RESPONSE UNTIL HAMAS HAS RETURNED ALL HOSTAGES

  • 62% of voters say Israel is justified in continuing its military operations in Gaza until Hamas has returned all hostages (Democrats: 50%; Republicans: 78%; Independents: 56%).
  • 80% of voters support Hamas releasing all remaining hostages without any conditions, including a majority across political parties.
  • 75% of voters and a majority across political parties and age groups support Israel over Hamas.
  • 51% of voters support President Donald Trump’s handling of the conflict so far (-3). 72% of voters 18-24 y.o. oppose his handling of the conflict.

The June Harvard CAPS / Harris poll survey was conducted online within the United States on June 11-12, 2025, among 2,097 registered voters by The Harris Poll and HarrisX. Follow the Harvard CAPS / Harris poll podcast at https://www.markpennpolls.com/ or on iHeart Radio, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and other podcast platforms.

About The Harris Poll & HarrisX
The Harris Poll is a global consulting and market research firm that strives to reveal the authentic values of modern society to inspire leaders to create a better tomorrow. It works with clients in three primary areas: building twenty-first-century corporate reputation, crafting brand strategy and performance tracking, and earning organic media through public relations research. One of the longest-running surveys in the U.S., The Harris Poll has tracked public opinion, motivations, and social sentiment since 1963, and is now part of Stagwell, the challenger holding company built to transform marketing.

HarrisX is a technology-driven market research and data analytics company that conducts multi-method research in the U.S. and over 40 countries around the world on behalf of Fortune 100 companies, public policy institutions, global leaders, NGOs and philanthropic organizations. HarrisX was the most accurate pollster of the 2020 U.S. presidential election.

About the Harvard Center for American Political Studies
The Center for American Political Studies (CAPS) is committed to and fosters the interdisciplinary study of U.S. politics.  Governed by a group of political scientists, sociologists, historians, and economists within the Faculty of Arts and Sciences at Harvard University, CAPS drives discussion, research, public outreach, and pedagogy about all aspects of U.S. politics. CAPS encourages cutting-edge research using a variety of methodologies, including historical analysis, social surveys, and formal mathematical modeling, and it often cooperates with other Harvard centers to support research training and encourage cross-national research about the United States in comparative and global contexts. More information at https://caps.gov.harvard.edu/.

Contact:
Carrie Hsu
pr@stagwellglobal.com

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June 2025

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2025 Big Beautiful Bill Crosstabs Debt Economy foreignpolicy free trade immigration Iran Israel Hamas Conflict June tariffs taxes trump Trump Administration Ukraine keyresults