March Harvard CAPS / Harris Poll: Trump Approval Drops 3 Pts. to 43% Amidst Worsening Views on the Economy and Support for the Iran War Split Along Partisan Lines

Rhea-AI Summary

Stagwell (NASDAQ:STGW) released the March Harvard CAPS / Harris Poll on March 30, 2026, showing Trump approval at 43% (down 3 points) and worsening economic sentiment: 45% say personal finances are worsening (+5) and 71% believe inflation is above 3% (+9).

The poll reports partisan splits on Iran airstrikes (Republican support far higher), a 51-49 congressional horse race, 65% oppose a DHS shutdown, and 68% back the proposed SAVE America Act.

Positive

• Trump approval at 43% (-3 points)
• 45% of voters report worsening personal finances (+5 points)
• 68% of voters support the SAVE America Act

Negative

• Economic optimism falls: 32% say economy on right track (-6 points)
• 71% of voters believe inflation is above 3% (+9 points)
• Congressional race remains tight at 51-49

Key Figures

Worsening finances: 45% of voters Perceived high inflation: 71% of voters Trump approval: 43% +5 more

8 metrics

Worsening finances 45% of voters Say their personal financial situation is getting worse

Perceived high inflation 71% of voters Believe inflation is above 3 percent a year right now

Trump approval 43% President Trump job approval in March Harvard CAPS / Harris poll

Country right track 35% of voters Say the country is on the right track in March 2026

Economy shrinking view 59% of voters Think the economy is shrinking

Sample size 2,009 registered voters Survey respondents in March 25–26, 2026 Harvard CAPS / Harris poll

Oppose DHS shutdown 65% of voters Oppose shutdown of the Department of Homeland Security

Support SAVE America Act 68% of voters Support the proposed SAVE America Act

Market Reality Check

Price: $6.08 Vol: Volume 1067534 is below t...

low vol

$6.08 Last Close

Volume Volume 1067534 is below the 20-day average of 2224480, suggesting muted trading interest before this release. low

Technical Shares trade above the 200-day MA of 5.3 with a pre-news price of 6.08, leaving room below the 7.165 52-week high.

Peers on Argus

STGW was down 2.72% while peers showed mixed moves: IAS up 0.78%, ZD down 3.16%,...

2 Up

STGW was down 2.72% while peers showed mixed moves: IAS up 0.78%, ZD down 3.16%, CRTO down 0.98%, QNST down 0.75%, and EEX flat in the snapshot data. Momentum scanner flagged two sector names (EEX, ADV) moving up, reinforcing a stock-specific rather than broad sector pattern.

Historical Context

5 past events · Latest: Mar 24 (Positive)

Pattern 5 events

Date	Event	Sentiment	Move	Catalyst
Mar 24	Industry recognition	Positive	-0.8%	Code and Theory named to Fast Company innovative companies list.
Mar 20	Equity inducements	Neutral	+2.3%	Restricted stock unit grants to new employees under Nasdaq Rule 5635(c)(4).
Mar 18	Polling survey	Neutral	+1.3%	Harris Poll survey on science misinformation and global leadership views.
Mar 16	Annual report	Positive	+1.5%	2025 Annual Report highlighting record year and strong AI-driven growth.
Mar 10	Strategic partnership	Positive	+17.6%	AppLovin Axon integration to enhance performance marketing for clients.

Pattern Detected

Recent STGW news—clients, AI strategy, and partnerships—often saw positive or strong price responses, with only one recent divergence on favorable recognition news.

Recent Company History

Over March 2026, STGW issued multiple business and thought-leadership updates. A strategic AppLovin partnership on Mar 10 (news_id 1024822) coincided with a strong 17.56% move, while the AI-focused 2025 Annual Report on Mar 16 (news_id 1027594) and a science-misinformation survey on Mar 18 (news_id 1028609) also aligned with modest gains. Equity inducement grants on Mar 20 (news_id 1029901) saw a positive reaction, but Fast Company recognition on Mar 24 (news_id 1030967) coincided with a small decline, showing not all positive headlines translate into upside.

Market Pulse Summary

This announcement showcases STGW’s Harris Poll franchise delivering nationally relevant political an...

Analysis

This announcement showcases STGW’s Harris Poll franchise delivering nationally relevant political and economic data, surveying 2,009 registered voters and highlighting concerns such as worsening personal finances for 45% of respondents and perceived inflation above 3% for 71%. In recent months, similar research-driven and strategic updates often coincided with constructive share reactions, particularly the AppLovin partnership and AI-focused annual report. Investors tracking STGW may watch how consistently high-profile polling work supports client demand and reinforces the company’s positioning in data-driven marketing.

Key Terms

department of homeland security (dhs), tsa, ice

3 terms

department of homeland security (dhs) regulatory

"65% of voters oppose the shutdown of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS)"

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is the U.S. federal agency charged with protecting the nation’s people, infrastructure and borders from threats such as terrorism, natural disasters and cyberattacks. For investors, DHS matters because its rules, inspections, security clearances and emergency responses can change a company’s costs, ability to operate, access to ports or government contracts, and exposure to cyber or physical risks—like a guard at the gate setting who can enter and what standards must be met.

tsa regulatory

"64% of voters support funding non-immigration portions of DHS like the TSA"

A Transition Services Agreement (TSA) is a short-term contract in which the seller agrees to keep providing certain back-office functions—like IT, payroll, or accounting—to the buyer after a sale so the buyer can run the acquired business without interruption. For investors, a TSA matters because it reduces operational risk and unexpected costs during the handover; a well-scoped TSA makes the deal more likely to preserve revenue and avoid surprises, while a weak or expensive TSA can signal integration trouble.

ice regulatory

"60% of voters would prefer to not provide any more funding to ICE unless it changes operations"

ICE is a global operator of financial exchanges and market infrastructure that runs venues where stocks, commodities and derivatives are traded, plus the systems that record prices and settle trades. Investors care because ICE provides the marketplace and technology that let buyers and sellers connect and ensure trades are completed reliably—like an airport coordinating flights—so changes to its rules, fees or systems can affect trading costs, access and market stability.

AI-generated analysis. Not financial advice.

45% OF VOTERS SAY THEIR PERSONAL FINANCIAL SITUATION IS WORSENING, A 5-POINT INCREASE FROM LAST MONTH, AND 71% THINK INFLATION IS ABOVE 3 PERCENT

76% OF VOTERS THINK THE U.S. IS WINNING THE WAR ON IRAN AND THREE IN FIVE VOTERS SAY IRAN IS A NATIONAL SECURITY THREAT

51% SUPPORT U.S.-ISRAEL AIRSTRIKES ON THE IRANIAN REGIME AND 54% SAY THE CAMPAIGN IS JUSTIFIED

SUPPORT FOR THE AIRSTRIKES IS SPLIT ALONG PARTISAN LINES WITH 79% OF REPUBLICANS - INCLUDING 87% OF SELF-IDENTIFIED MAGA VOTERS AND 80% OF TRUMP 2024 VOTERS - SUPPORTING IT; WHILE ONLY 46% OF INDEPENDENTS AND 26% OF DEMOCRATS HAVE FAVORABLE VIEWS

65% OF VOTERS OPPOSE THE DHS SHUTDOWN

MAJORITY SUPPORT THE SAVE AMERICA ACT AND 59% SAY IT SHOULD BE PASSED BEFORE THE MIDTERM ELECTIONS

CONGRESSIONAL HORSERACE REMAINS TIGHT AT 51-49 WITH DEMOCRATS HOLDING A 2-POINT LEAD

NEW YORK, NY AND CAMBRIDGE, MA / ACCESS Newswire / March 30, 2026 / Stagwell (NASDAQ:STGW) today released the results of the March 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 job approval rating has dropped three points to 43%, with slight decreases across all policy areas. His job approval is highest on fighting crime in America's cities (47%), returning America to its values (47%), and immigration (46%); and lowest on handling inflation (39%) and the economy (40%). This month's poll also covered public opinion on the airstrikes on the Iranian regime, overall economy, midterms, DHS shutdown, voter ID requirements, and Cuba. Download the key results here.

"Trump shows a small decline given the twin events of the Iran War and the DHS shutdown, and the Congressional race remains tight," said Mark Penn, Co-Director of the Harvard CAPS/ Harris poll and Stagwell Chairman and CEO. "Gas price increases are likely behind the decline, but such declines are likely temporary if the war goes as planned. Support for the war is split along partisan lines but there are no questions in voter minds about the evil intentions of Iranian regime."

VIEWS ON THE COUNTRY AND ECONOMY WORSEN

• 35% of voters say the country is on the right track (-3 pts., Feb. 2026). 32% say the economy is on the right track (-6).

• 45% of voters say their personal financial situation is getting worse (+5), including 43%, a plurality, of likely midterm voters.

• The Republican Party approval rating is at 44% (-4), while the Democratic Party approval rating is at 43% (-2). Congressional approval is at 30% (-4).

• Inflation and immigration continue to be the nation's top two most important issues today, according to voters, with healthcare decreasing (-5) and terrorism/national security increasing (+8) in salience this month.

PERCEPTIONS OF HIGH INFLATION AND SHRINKING GDP RISE

• 62% of voters say the current state of the economy is due to the Trump administration over Biden (Democrats: 83%; Republicans: 38%; Independents: 66%).

• 53% of voters say the economy is worse today than it was under Biden (+5 pts., Feb. 2026).

• 59% of voters think the economy is shrinking (+7). 71% believe inflation is above 3 percent a year right now (+9), including a majority across political parties.

MOST TRUMP POLICIES CONTINUE TO SEE MAJORITY SUPPORT

• The majority of key Trump policies continue to see majority support. His most popular policies are lowering prescription drug prices (85% support), deporting illegal immigrants who have committed crimes (77%), eliminating fraud in government expenditures (75%), and capping credit card interest rates at 10% for one year (70%).

• Trump's least popular policies include Medicaid cost cuts (44%), hiring additional ICE agents to conduct immigration raids (45%), and scaling back participation in international organizations (45%).

• 74% of voters say it is in the U.S.' interests to stop Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon, including a majority across political parties. 52% oppose Trump's handling of the Iran conflict so far.

• 48% of voters, a plurality, say Trump is doing a worse than expected as president (+4).

VOTERS SEE WIDE POLICY DIFFERENCES BETWEEN PARTIES ON IRAN, VOTER ID REQUIREMENTS, AND IMMIGRATION

• 82% of voters say Democrats are against the war on Iran, while 78% say Republicans are for it.

• 60% of voters say Democrats are against voter ID requirements (Democrats: 46%; Republicans: 76%; Independents: 58%), while 84% say Republicans are for them.

• 56% of voters say Democrats stand for open borders, including a majority across political parties.

• 52% of voters say Democrats are for deporting violent criminals here illegally, while 79% say the same of Republicans.

• 60% of voters say special prosecutors under the Biden administration obtaining phone records on members of Congress was inappropriate, and 55% view it as spying by the Democrats. 65% of voters believe the prosecutor should go to jail.

MAJORITY OF VOTERS PLANNING TO VOTE IN 2026 MIDTERMS AND ARE THINKING OF 2028

• 73% say they will definitely or probably vote in the 2026 Congressional midterm elections (Definitely: Democrats: 62%; Republicans: 62%; Independents: 42%).

• 51% of voters say they would vote for a Democrat if the congressional election were held today. The lead widens to 4 points among likely midterm voters.

• 67% of voters have given thought to the 2028 presidential election, including a majority across political parties.

• Kamala Harris (41%) and J.D. Vance (42%) are the favored candidates for president among voters from their respective parties.

DHS SHUTDOWN IS UNPOPULAR; VOTERS WANT FUNDING FOR TSA AND ACCOUNTABILITY MEASURES

• 65% of voters oppose the shutdown of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), including a majority across political parties. 53% blame the Republicans.

• 64% of voters support funding non-immigration portions of DHS like the TSA, including a majority across political parties.

• 69% of voters support funding DHS with $100 million for agent body cameras and audits.

• 60% of voters would prefer to not provide any more funding to ICE unless it changes operations. 52% say the DHS shutdown by Democrats was a justified response to ICE actions (Democrats: 73%; Republicans: 33%; Independents: 50%).

CONTINUED SUPPORT FOR THE SAVE AMERICA ACT WITH A MAJORITY IN FAVOR OF PASSING IT BEFORE NOVEMBER MIDTERMS

• 68% of voters support the proposed SAVE America Act, and 56% agree the Act is a commonsense way to stop election fraud (-4). 62% of voters believe there is at least some voter fraud in U.S. elections.

• The majority of voters continue to support the specific requirements of the Act, including proof of citizenship (74%), voter ID (81%), states removing non-citizens from voter rolls (80%), and states sharing redacted voting rolls with the DHS (58%).

• 56% of voters believe stricter voter ID requirements are neutral with no benefit to either political party, including a plurality across political parties. 52% believe politicians who support the SAVE America Act are actually concerned about voter fraud (+3).

• 59% of voters are for passing the SAVE America Act into law before the midterm elections in November. 39%, a plurality, say they are more likely to support someone running for office who supports the Act.

• 77% of voters say there should be a national law to require counting ballots within 24 hours of Election Day, including a majority across political parties.

• 50% of voters support mail voting (-4), and 68% support early voting.

VOTERS SAY AIRSTRIKES ARE JUSTIFIED AND IRAN IS A NATIONAL SECURITY THREAT TO THE U.S.

• 54% of voters think U.S. airstrikes on Iran are justified and a majority agree with all tested justifications, with the killing of thousands of unarmed citizen protestors (63%), global terror cells (62%), and Iranian missiles and drones against civilians in neighboring countries (62%) convincing the most voters, including a majority across political parties.

• 63% of voters say the U.S. should support regime change in Iran, including a majority across political parties. 54% believe U.S. military airstrikes will be successful in leading such a change.

• 62% of voters say Iran is a national security threat to the U.S., and 67% believe it has been a leading source of instability, terrorism, and war in the Middle East.

• 51% of voters support the US-Israeli airstrikes (Democrats: 26%; Republicans: 79% (MAGA voters: 87%; Trump 2024 voters: 80%); Independents: 46%).

• 76% of voters believe the U.S. is winning the war on Iran right now, including a majority across political parties and age groups.

• 57% of voters support a diplomatic agreement that ends military fighting but would leave the current Iranian regime in place.

• 53% of voters oppose having a small contingent of U.S. troops on the ground in Iran.

• After reading information on the Iranian regime and nuclear weapons program, 56% of voters support U.S. airstrikes on Iran (+5 from pre-messaging).

MAJORITY OF VOTERS OPPOSE CURRENT REGIME IN CUBA BUT DON'T WANT U.S. TO INTERVENE DIRECTLY

• 74% of voters oppose the regime in Cuba. 60% believe the people who run Cuba do not have the support of their people, including a majority across political parties.

• 53% of voters oppose the U.S. playing a more active role in pressuring reform in Cuba, and 57% oppose political or military intervention.

• The plurality of voters say the U.S. should pursue diplomatic negotiations (27%) and provide humanitarian aid to the Cuban people (26%).

The March Harvard CAPS / Harris poll survey was conducted online within the United States on March 25-26, 2026, among 2,009 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

SOURCE: Stagwell

View the original press release on ACCESS Newswire

FAQ

What did Stagwell report for Trump job approval in the March 30, 2026 poll (STGW)?

Trump's job approval was reported at 43%, a 3-point decline. According to Stagwell, approval fell slightly across policy areas with lowest scores on handling inflation and the economy.

How did voters rate the economy in the March Harvard CAPS / Harris Poll released by STGW?

32% of voters said the economy is on the right track, a 6-point drop. According to Stagwell, 59% now say the economy is shrinking and 53% say it is worse than under Biden.

What were voter views on inflation in the March 25-26, 2026 poll from STGW?

71% of voters believe inflation is above 3% per year, a 9-point increase. According to Stagwell, this perception rose across political parties and likely influenced economic approval ratings.

How did the March poll (STGW) measure support for U.S.-Israeli airstrikes on Iran?

51% of voters supported the airstrikes overall, with strong partisan splits. According to Stagwell, Republican support was much higher than Democratic support, and messaging raised support to 56% post-information.

What did the poll say about voter intentions for the 2026 midterm elections in the Stagwell release?

The poll found 73% will definitely or probably vote in 2026 midterms, and the congressional horse race was 51-49 for Democrats. According to Stagwell, turnout intent varies by party and independents.

What did Stagwell report about public reaction to the DHS shutdown in the March 2026 poll?

65% of voters opposed a DHS shutdown and 64% supported funding non-immigration DHS functions like TSA. According to Stagwell, a majority across parties favored continued TSA funding and accountability measures.