Despite a week dominated by headlines over the so-called “Signalgate” leak and renewed media outrage, President Donald Trump’s approval ratings remain resilient—undented, even emboldened. According to a new CBS News poll released Sunday, Trump holds a solid 50% approval rating nationally, signaling that the White House’s latest storm has had little effect on public perception of his leadership.
The poll, which surveyed more than 2,600 Americans across March 27–28, found that while a large majority of respondents agreed the Signal messaging leak was “serious,” it was not enough to shift the political needle. In fact, the data revealed something telling: the controversy may have dominated cable news, but it hasn’t registered as a priority concern for the average voter.
The incident in question involved National Security Adviser Mike Waltz inadvertently adding The Atlantic’s editor-in-chief, Jeffrey Goldberg, into an encrypted Signal group chat where senior Trump administration officials were discussing strikes on the Iran-backed Houthis.
The media quickly framed the episode as a breach of protocol and security, but the poll’s findings suggest the public sees it more as a misstep than a scandal.
CBS Poll: President Trump Approval
Approve: 50% (-1)
Disapprove: 50% (+1)
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Trump’s approval on handling…Immigration: 53-47
The Economy: 48-52
Inflation: 44-56
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Crosstabs: Approve – Disapprove• Dem: 12-88
• GOP: 91-8
• Indie: 42-57
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• White: 57-43
• Black:… pic.twitter.com/AqcPc9JTsu— InteractivePolls (@IAPolls2022) March 30, 2025
And it’s not just Trump’s overall numbers that are holding. His approval rating on immigration stands at 53%, with 58% backing his plan to deport illegal migrants. In an era where immigration remains a front-burner issue for many voters, these numbers indicate firm public alignment with Trump’s enforcement-heavy approach.
On the economy, however, the poll paints a more nuanced picture. Forty-eight percent approve of Trump’s economic handling overall, but concerns remain. Just 31% believe the administration is doing the “right amount” to lower consumer prices, while 64% say it’s “not enough.” Tariff policy appears more divisive: 38% believe Trump’s use of tariffs is appropriate, while 55% think there’s been “too much.” Only 5% want to see more tariffs.
Still, there’s a persistent echo from the past: 38% of Americans say President Joe Biden is more responsible for current inflation, compared to 34% who point to Trump. Another 19% say both share the blame. That breakdown signals that economic memory runs deep—and Biden’s policies, especially from his first term, continue to haunt him politically.
Even Trump’s administrative pruning efforts are garnering support. His push to streamline the federal workforce—including through the newly established Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE)—has split the public evenly. Fifty percent say they approve of the cuts, suggesting that the appetite for leaner government persists.
