Jaw-Dropping Approval Ratings Reveal What Americans Really Think About Donald Trump
An in-depth look at public opinion, the forces behind it, and what it means for American politics in 2026
Introduction: A Nation Deeply Divided
When Americans express their views on a sitting president’s job performance, the result is more than a number — it’s a snapshot of national sentiment, anxiety, hope, fear, and political identity. In the case of President Donald J. Trump, who returned to the White House after a historic reelection, recent polling shows a deeply complex and polarized public opinion landscape that defies easy interpretation.
In late 2025 and early 2026, multiple major surveys — including Gallup, AP-NORC, Pew Research, and other reputable polling organizations — revealed jaw-dropping shifts in public approval and disapproval of Trump’s presidency. Some patterns reflect enduring polarization, while others highlight surprising trends even within his own Republican base.
This article examines those approval ratings, unpacks what Americans really think, and explores how these trends may shape the political future.
Part I: Where Trump’s Approval Stands Now
A New Low? Historic Approval Data
One of the most cited markers of public sentiment is approval — the percentage of adults who say the president is doing a good job overall. According to the most recent Gallup poll, Trump’s job approval rating has dropped to 36%, the lowest point of his second term to date and highly comparable to the lowest levels seen in his first presidency.
This figure is significant not just because it’s low, but because it reflects a broader trend over months of declining support. In previous polling cycles, Trump’s approval fluctuated around 40-41%, but recent data shows a deeper downward shift that many analysts connect to sharp public concerns about the economy, government shutdowns, immigration policy, and other heated national debates.
Disapproval Is High — And Getting Higher
Approval is only half the story. Disapproval — the percentage of people who believe Trump is doing a poor job — stands at around 60% or more in many surveys. The gap between approval and disapproval has widened over the past year, illustrating that the share of Americans who are actively unhappy with Trump’s performance is not only substantial but growing.
This trend is noteworthy because presidents typically face skepticism, but rarely does a modern president enter a second term with such a pronounced negative balance in national sentiment.
Part II: Breakdown by Demographics — Who Supports Trump, and Who Doesn’t?
The Partisan Divide: Republicans vs. Democrats
It’s no surprise that Trump’s approval is heavily influenced by partisan identity. Polling consistently shows that:
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Most Republicans still approve of Trump’s performance, often at high levels.
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Nearly all Democrats disapprove of Trump’s job as president, often by double-digit margins above disapproval.
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Independents, the traditionally swing segment, skew toward disapproval but show variability depending on current events and specific issues.
In recent data, around 56% of Americans disapproved overall, while about 42% approved — a net negative position.
The partisan split sizes are stark: Republicans’ approval rates remain robust in general, while Democratic disapproval levels remain just as robust — if not more intense — than in past years.
Independents and Younger Voters
Beyond party lines, a key question is how independents and younger voters feel about Trump — groups that were critical in the 2024 election cycle.
Surveys indicate that independents tend to disapprove by large margins (often 60% or more disapproval in polls), signaling that Trump’s appeal outside the GOP base is limited. Younger voters — especially those under 35 — show particular skepticism, with approval declining even among those who previously supported Trump.
This trend suggests that while loyalty among base Republicans remains strong, Trump faces an uphill battle in appealing to voters without strong partisan commitments.
Racial and Religious Breakdown
Polling also shows significant divergence among racial and religious groups:
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Solid majorities of Black Americans, Hispanic Catholics, Jewish Americans, and religiously unaffiliated adults express disapproval of Trump’s job performance.
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White evangelical and other white Christian groups remain among the strongest demographic supporters.
These views reflect long-standing political alignment patterns but also show intensifying divides — particularly when issues like immigration, abortion policy, and economic opportunity are factored in.
Part III: Why Approval Ratings Matter — Beyond the Numbers
Approval ratings don’t exist in a vacuum — they influence elections, policy debates, legislative negotiations, and even international perceptions of American leadership.
Elections and Political Power
Presidential approval ratings often affect midterm elections and party control of Congress. When a president’s job approval dips significantly below 50%, history suggests that the opposition party gains seats in the House and Senate during midterm cycles.
In Trump’s case, polling showing roughly 36-40% approval and 55-60% disapproval correlates with recent Democratic gains in special elections and off-year contests, indicating broader national headwinds for Republican candidates tied closely to Trump’s policy agenda.
Policy Implications
Public views on issues — such as immigration, economic policy, government spending, and executive authority — are closely tied to overall approval. When a president has low approval, it’s harder to rally support for legislative priorities or shape public discourse.
For example:
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Polls show increasing discomfort with immigration crackdowns and border enforcement policies, particularly when they lead to controversial enforcement actions or public backlash.
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Confidence in Trump’s leadership is lower in domains like ethics, democratic norms, and long-term economic strategy.
Approval ratings also influence how other branches of government—and foreign leaders—perceive policy legitimacy. A president with weak public support can find it harder to push major reforms or command unity within his party.
Part IV: What Americans Really Think — Not Just Numbers
Averages and percentages tell part of the story — what’s happening underneath the surface is even more revealing.
Economic Concerns Trump Cannot Ignore
Despite historically strong economic indicators like low unemployment and rising wages, many Americans continue to report pessimism about the economy in polls. This disconnect between macroeconomic data and public sentiment impacts Trump’s approval ratings because people often judge their leader’s performance based on personal financial experience, not abstract statistics.
Negative economic perceptions lead people to:
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Disapprove of leadership even when technical indicators are positive.
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Support opposition parties in elections.
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Express frustration with political leadership overall.
This trend shows that approval ratings can be influenced more by personal experience than by economic headlines — a reality that matters politically.
Immigration: A Flashpoint Issue
Immigration remains one of the most polarizing issues in America. While Trump’s base often supports strong enforcement measures, broader public opinion is far less enthusiastic — especially when enforcement actions are associated with civil liberties concerns or negative media coverage.
Recent polls indicate that a growing number of Americans believe Trump’s immigration policies have gone too far, diminishing overall support.
This highlights how specific policy domains can significantly shift overall approval.
Trust and Leadership Perception
Trust in leadership — especially trust in ethical behavior, honesty, and respect for democratic norms — is another major driver of approval. Recent surveys show that only a minority of Americans express confidence in Trump’s ethical conduct or leadership skills, contributing to the negative approval gap.
Low trust levels often reflect deeper cultural and political divides — meaning that improving approval ratings isn’t just about policy successes but about rebuilding perceptions of leadership integrity.
Part V: Trump’s Personal Reaction and Political Strategy
Predictably, Trump has responded to declining approval ratings with public statements and criticisms of polling organizations, arguing that certain polls are inaccurate or biased. Reports suggest he has called for investigations into unfavorable polling results and has framed negative approval data as politically motivated.
This response reflects a broader strategy Trump has used throughout his political career — challenging institutions that present unfavorable narratives and reinforcing loyalty among his base by framing critics as adversaries.
However, such reactions can have mixed effects: they can energize core supporters but also reinforce skepticism among undecided or critical voters.
Part VI: What Comes Next? Future Trajectories of Trump’s Approval
Pathways to Improvement
If Trump wants to improve his standing in future polls, several factors could shift approval:
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Tangible economic gains for ordinary Americans, rather than abstract indicators.
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Policy wins in bipartisan areas, such as infrastructure, healthcare costs, or public safety reforms.
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Addressing public concerns over trust and communication, projecting leadership that resonates beyond the base.
Approval ratings are not static; they change with events, leadership decisions, and broader national sentiment.
Risks of Further Decline
Conversely, approval can decline if:
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Economic grievances persist or worsen.
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Major crises occur without effective mitigation.
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Public perception of ethical or democratic dereliction deepens.
Large portions of the electorate — especially independents and younger voters — remain persuadable, meaning a failure to connect with broader concerns could further cement disapproval.
Conclusion: What Americans Really Think
Despite jaw-dropping headlines about declining approval, what Americans really think about Donald Trump is multifaceted:
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Strong partisan loyalty remains among Republicans.
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Disapproval is broad and deep among Democrats and many independents.
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Policy issues — like immigration and economic perception — shape public opinion in powerful ways.
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Trust and leadership perception matter as much as actual governance outcomes.
The result is not a simple narrative of universal rejection — but rather a deeply polarized nation where approval ratings reflect contrasting realities for different groups.
In the end, approval ratings are more than political barometers — they reveal the hopes, fears, priorities, and values of millions of Americans. And in the era of Trump’s presidency, those divides have never been clearer.
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