In the latest Carolina Journal poll released on May 15, President Donald Trump’s favorability among North Carolina voters has declined to 45.5% favorable and 50.8% unfavorable. This marks a drop from the previous March 2025 poll, where Trump was viewed slightly more favorably than unfavorably, at 49.5% to 48.7%.

Notably, the “very unfavorable” number (47.2%) is higher than the combined “very favorable” and “somewhat favorable” number.

Some of this decline may be related to the president’s tariff policy, with three-in-four North Carolina likely voters believing that tariffs will make products more expensive. A slight majority also believes that tariffs are likely to create more manufacturing jobs in the United States. But the survey also found that a plurality of voters believe there will not be any benefits from tariffs at 41%, but 18% are willing to wait two to three years to see benefits from them. Another 16% are willing to wait a year.

Voters overall believe that tariffs are a poor way to create manufacturing jobs when given alternative pathways. With this objective in mind, 10% of voters picked tariffs while 26% picked a policy of non-interference by government, 25% picked rolling back government regulations, and 23% picked lowering taxes on manufacturers.

Similarly, nearly half of voters — 49% — believe that tariffs will raise consumer prices and hurt businesses while 41% believe they are necessary to protect American industries.

On broader economic issues, voter sentiment reflects increasing concern. Over half of North Carolina respondents, at 54%, believe the economy is worsening, contrasting with 32% who see improvement.

The poll also tracked favorability ratings of key state-level political figures, revealing a sharp contrast in public perception, with additional good news for Democrats beyond the sinking numbers for Trump. Gov. Josh Stein has a 48% favorable rating, with 24% unfavorable. Former Gov. Roy Cooper holds similarly steady, with 48% favorable and 37% unfavorable results. U.S. Sen. Thom Tillis suffers the lowest net image at 26% favorable and 46% unfavorable.

The Carolina Journal poll also explored key policy questions on social and governance topics. 

  • Sunday hunting restrictions: 44% supported lifting Sunday hunting restrictions, compared to 31% in favor of continuing them.
  • Defining “woman” in legal terms: 64% of respondents backed defining a “woman” as someone assigned female at birth, with 29% opposed.
  • Raw milk sales: A majority of voters, at 59%, support allowing dairy farmers to sell raw milk directly to consumers under health guidelines, while 27% opposed the idea.
  • Housing policy: 34% favored increased funding for affordable housing programs as the best way to address the shortage, with 23% supporting tax incentives for developers and smaller percentages favoring less interventionist approaches like easing zoning restrictions at 8% or leaving policies to local governments at 21%.
  • Flag policy: 63% of respondents supported a law that restricts state buildings from displaying any flags other than official governmental ones to ensure ideological neutrality, while 26% opposed this approach.
  • Minimum grade: An overwhelming 85% disapproved of guaranteeing students a minimum grade, such as a 50%, even if no work was completed. Only 8% expressed approval. 
  • Legalized sports betting: While 29% supported the idea, 40% viewed it unfavorably.

The poll surveyed 614 likely voters May 11-13 and has a margin of error of plus or minus 3.94%.