U.S. President Donald J. Trump has seen shifts in public approval ratings as he progresses through his second term. Recent national surveys indicate that a majority of Americans disapprove of his job performance, while the president and his supporters have publicly criticized several polls, raising questions about methodology and media reporting. This article summarizes documented polling data, official responses, and public sentiment trends grounded in reputable news and polling sources.
Overview of Recent Polling
Multiple national surveys released in late 2025 and early 2026 show President Trump’s job approval rating below 50% among American adults, with a consistent pattern of higher disapproval than approval across a range of policy areas.
A January 2026 poll conducted by the Associated Press–NORC Center for Public Affairs Research (AP-NORC) found that 59% of U.S. adults disapproved of Trump’s overall performance as president, while 40% approved. The survey also reported lower approval ratings on specific issues like the economy and immigration.
Other reputable polls, such as those co-conducted by The New York Times and Siena College, have shown similar results, placing Trump’s approval rating near 40%.
Polling averages compiled by independent trackers place Trump’s overall approval in the low-40% range, with corresponding disapproval figures exceeding 50%. These figures reflect trends reported by outlets that aggregate multiple national surveys.
In a separate Reuters/Ipsos poll, public approval of the president’s handling of immigration had dropped to a reported 39%, while disapproval stood at 53%.
Public Opinion on Key Issues
Beyond overall approval, many polls examine how Americans perceive Trump’s performance on specific policy areas:
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Economy: Several surveys indicate that approval of Trump’s economic management remains below 50%, with many respondents saying they disapprove of his handling of economic conditions and inflation.
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Immigration: Studies such as the Reuters/Ipsos poll have shown immigration policy approval below support levels, with a notable portion of Americans expressing disapproval.
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Foreign policy and trade: Some national surveys have also placed approval ratings in the mid-30% range for handling foreign affairs or trade, mirroring broader public concerns about direction and leadership.
Polling organizations typically note that results come with margins of error and that attitudes can vary across demographics and regions.
Partisan and Demographic Trends
Public opinion on Trump’s leadership remains strongly divided along party lines. Republican voters have continued to show high levels of support for the president’s job performance, while approval among independents and Democrats has lagged significantly behind. This partisan gap is consistent with historical patterns in presidential approval polling and emerges clearly in AP-NORC and other national surveys.
Polling also indicates variation within age groups. Some surveys highlighted that younger voters have shown comparatively lower approval for President Trump in recent months, based on data reported by mainstream outlets.
Trends Over Time
Over the course of his second term so far, Trump’s approval numbers have shifted. According to trend data from AP-NORC and other polling organizations:
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Early in 2025, his overall job approval rating was in the low-to-mid 40% range.
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In subsequent months, disapproval has generally stayed above approval, with some surveys showing disapproval rates near or above 55%.
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Compared with past presidencies at similar points in office, this pattern places current approval ratings toward the lower end of the historical spectrum. Independent analysts and poll trackers have noted that these levels of disapproval are significant in the context of public opinion history.
Trump’s Public Response to Polling Results
In response to unfavorable poll results, President Trump has publicly criticized multiple media outlets and polling organizations. He has made these comments primarily through his social media platform, Truth Social, and in public statements.
Trump has described certain polls as inaccurate or misleading. In one widely covered post, he referred to polling results as “fake and fraudulent” and called for greater scrutiny of how such data is gathered and reported. He also reiterated long-standing claims about the 2020 presidential election outcome. These statements have been widely reported by reputable news organizations.
Major news outlets covering Trump’s remarks have noted that election polling and media reporting practices are protected under journalistic freedom, and that questioning methodology does not change underlying publicly released data.
Media Coverage and Commentary
Reputable news organizations have contextualized Trump’s reactions within broader media and political reporting norms. Analysis published in major outlets has pointed out that criticism of polling — including accusations of bias — is relatively common in U.S. political discourse, especially when public figures face unfavorable approval figures. Such reporting emphasizes that polls represent samples of public opinion at a point in time and are not definitive predictions of election outcomes.
Some coverage has also highlighted specific controversies, such as debates over immigration enforcement actions and other high-profile policy decisions, that may influence public sentiment and approval ratings. Independent fact-checking organizations also periodically review statements made by political leaders to assess accuracy.
Polling and the 2026 Midterm Elections
As the 2026 U.S. midterm elections approach, poll results showing job approval and policy satisfaction levels are being interpreted by analysts as potential indicators of broader political trends. Historically, presidential approval is one factor among many that can influence congressional races and party performance at the ballot box.
Major news coverage notes that while low presidential approval ratings can signal challenges for the party in power, election outcomes depend on a range of variables — including local issues, candidate quality, campaign strategy, and turnout. Polls do not directly determine election results, but they offer insight into current public perceptions.
Conclusion
In early 2026, multiple reputable national polls have shown Donald Trump’s approval rating below 50%, with disapproval generally higher than approval among U.S. adults. These patterns are supported by surveys conducted by independent research organizations like AP-NORC, Reuters/Ipsos, and The New York Times/Siena University.
Public opinion remains deeply divided along partisan lines, with Republican support staying strong while approval among independents and other voter groups has declined. The president has publicly criticized several polling results, characterizing them as inaccurate and misleading — a response that has itself been widely reported by major news outlets.
As the political landscape evolves heading into the midterm elections, these approval figures and public responses continue to be a focal point of national media coverage and political analysis.