President Trump’s approval ratings have been on a roller coaster since his inauguration, although recent developments appear to have helped stop their decline.

Immediately after being sworn in, Trump had a net 7-point positive approval rating (51 percent approve vs. 44 percent disapprove), per RealClearPolitics aggregator. 

But by the end of April, there had been a 14-point swing, dropping Trump’s approval to a net negative 7 points (45 percent approve vs. 52 percent disapprove). 

Now, following a high-profile trip to the Middle East and progress in trade talks with China, polling indicates that perceptions of Trump’s performance have ticked up again.

Indeed, separate polls from the Daily Mail and Rasmussen show Trump’s approval at 50 percent and 49 percent, respectively.  

Morning Consult polling reported Trump’s job approval at 48 percent while 50 percent disapprove, down from 53 percent disapprove in late April. 

The findings of all three polls are in line with the RealClearPolitics tracker, which shows Trump’s approval currently sitting at 48 percent, with 49 percent disapproving, a virtual tie. 

Taken together, the data suggests that as tariff uncertainty recedes and Americans see the other side of Trump, that of “dealmaker in Chief,” his approval ratings may continue improving, or at least stabilize.  

In that same vein, the House of Representatives’ passing of Trump’s “big, beautiful bill,” with its associated tax cuts, may provide an additional boost for his approval numbers, particularly on the economy. 

Some of this is being seen already. 

At the end of April, when the tariff-induced chaos peaked, just 4 in 10 (42 percent) voters approved of his handling of the economy, while a majority (53 percent) disapproved, per Economist/YouGov polling. 

That same poll conducted last week shows that Trump has essentially halved that 11-point deficit, with 45 percent of voters now approving of Trump’s job on the economy versus 50 percent who disapprove. 

To be sure, this is not to say it’s all good news for the White House.  

Presidential approval numbers can be volatile, an issue exacerbated by Trump’s own unpredictable nature. 

Moreover, despite the improvement Trump has seen in some areas, he remains deeply underwater on some critical issues, specifically the rising cost of living. 

Roughly two-thirds (66 percent) of Americans disapprove of Trump’s handling of inflation, compared to just 34 percent who approve, according to a recent Marquette University survey.  

Among independents, it’s even worse: More than three-quarters (77 percent) of independents disapprove, while less than one-quarter (23 percent) approve of Trump’s approach to the issue. 

Even Republicans are increasingly concerned. In the days after Trump’s inauguration, 70 percent of Republican voters thought Trump’s policies would decrease inflation.  

That is now down to 55 percent, while the share of GOP voters believing these policies will fuel inflation has doubled from 16 percent to 31 percent. 

These findings dovetail with RealClearPolitics’ issues tracker. While Trump’s approval on the economy has improved to a net negative 11 points (42 percent to 53 percent), on inflation, it is 21 points underwater (39 percent to 60 percent). 

To that end, behind Trump’s improving numbers overall and on the economy, despite pessimism over inflation, is mostly due to the president himself. 

When Trump is announcing sizable foreign investments in the U.S., projecting strength abroad and demonstrating progress on trade talks, Americans see him as an effective dealmaker.  

Simultaneously, by handing the reins on trade talks to officials like Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, there is a growing sense that the “adults” are in the driver’s seat and that the administration won’t allow the country to fall into a self-induced recession.  

Put another way, while Americans remain concerned about the high cost of living, Trump is at least giving voters a sense of optimism that he will get deals done and tax cuts passed.  

Ultimately, these polls represent a snapshot in time, and these were conducted after a series of positive developments for the administration.  

Whether or not Trump can build on this momentum remains to be seen, as each day brings the risk of a new headline that could reignite trade wars, roil financial markets, or mark an entirely new change in policy.

Case in point, on Friday, Trump again ignited chaos in financial markets with renewed threats of 50 percent and 25 percent tariffs on the European Union and Apple, respectively.  

And while the “big, beautiful bill” may boost the economy, it has also deepened the turmoil in the bond market due to the considerable impact it will have on the country’s debt. 

That said, for now at least, Trump has quietly had a good few weeks in terms of polling.  

If he wants to see continued improvement, he would benefit from focusing more on passing the pro-growth tax cuts and deregulation agenda that got him elected, and less on unnecessary trade wars. 

Douglas E. Schoen and Carly Cooperman are pollsters and partners with the public opinion company Schoen Cooperman Research based in New York. They are co-authors of the book, “America: Unite or Die.”