New Poll Shows Trump 58 Points Underwater With Independents on Taxes Despite Major Cuts

A new poll has indicated that President Donald Trump is “58 points underwater” with American independents on the issue of taxes, despite widespread cuts from his Big Beautiful Bill initiative.

According to a late March Fox News poll reported on by CNN data analyst Harry Enten, Trump is “58 points underwater” among independents on taxes. The same study found that 64% of Americans overall disapprove of Trump’s handling of taxes, compared to just 36% who approve.

The numbers come despite the passage of Trump’s sweeping fiscal package, widely known as the “One Big Beautiful Bill,” which he signed into law in July 2025. The legislation permanently extends his 2017 tax cuts and introduces new provisions such as deductions on tips, overtime pay, and expanded child tax credits.

The White House has leaned heavily on those provisions to argue that Americans are seeing tangible benefits. Officials have promoted increased tax refunds and highlighted policies like the temporary “no tax on tips” initiative, aimed at service workers. Early data shows average refunds rising, which the administration has framed as evidence that the policy is working.

Even as tax cuts take effect, many Americans say their overall financial situation has not improved. A separate report indicates that more than two-thirds of Americans believe taxes are too high, and 59% say the broader economy is worsening. Rising costs, including higher gas prices tied to geopolitical tensions, are offsetting any perceived gains from lower tax burdens.

Policy design is also under scrutiny. Analysts and economists have argued that the benefits of the tax cuts are unevenly distributed, with higher-income households seeing larger gains. Critics point to reductions in social spending, including Medicaid and food assistance programs, as factors that may leave lower-income Americans worse off overall.

That perception may be shaping voter sentiment. Multiple polls conducted after the bill’s passage found that a majority of Americans oppose the law, with some surveys showing opposition levels nearing two-thirds of respondents.

While individual elements of the legislation, such as eliminating taxes on tips or increasing the child tax credit, can poll well in isolation, the overall package has struggled to gain widespread support. Independents, who often decide national elections, appear particularly skeptical. The Fox News poll shows their concerns extend beyond taxes to the broader economic outlook, including inflation, federal debt, and government spending priorities.

The stakes are significant as Trump has repeatedly described the legislation as a cornerstone achievement of his second term and has framed it as proof of his economic leadership. However, the 58-point deficit among independents suggests that the policy may be politically costly.