President Donald Trump's approval rating showed slight improvement in the latest Reuters poll published on Tuesday (October 21).

Trump was reported to have a 42% approval rating, which was 2% higher than earlier in the month, during the six-day poll reported to have a two-point margin of error. The president's approval rating has consistently been between 40% and 44% since early April, according to the outlet.

The increase managed to coincide with a majority 50% of respondents blaming congressional Republicans for the government shutdown, while 43% blamed congressional Democrats. The current U.S. government shutdown entered its 22nd day on Wednesday (October 22), making it the third-longest in American history.

Last week, Trump was reported to have a -13 net approval rating for his handling of the U.S. economy, which was the lowest of any point during his two separate terms in office, according to the CNBC All-America Economic Survey. The president's approval rating on the economy is reported to be at 42%, while 55% of respondents disapprove, while the survey also reported his overall approval rating dropped from 46% to 44%, with a net approval of -8%.

Trump's economic numbers were typically one of the stronger issues of his first administration, with positive percentages that were routinely above his overall polling. But recent polls have shown a drastic change with just 34% approving his policies on inflation and the cost of living, which is the worst percentage of the three CNBC surveys conducted during his second term, as well as 56% disapproving his tariff policies, which equaled a -15 net approval compared with the -6 in the second-quarter survey.

Last week, Trump was reported to have a -3 net approval rating, but has seen a significant shift in one area, according to the latest Emerson College Polling survey released on Friday (October 17). Trump was reported to have a 45% job approval rating and a 48% disapproval rating.

The president was, however, reported have a 47% approval rating and 34% disapproval rating for his handing of the war between Israel and Hamas, having flipped public perception from a previous 30% approval rating and 46% disapproval during the Emerson 100-day poll released in April.

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