Donald Trump's Job Approval Plunges to Historic Low

The latest Economist/YouGov poll has revealed a stark reality for the Trump administration – a historic low in job approval ratings. The poll, conducted among 1,500 adults in the United States, found that only 33% of Americans strongly or somewhat approve of how Donald Trump is handling his job as president, while 62% disapprove. This represents the smallest share of approval in any Economist/YouGov poll across both of Trump's terms as president.

The dismal rating is not limited to just one or two demographics. Trump's net job approval is the lowest he has ever received among multiple groups, including women (-36%), white Americans (-19%), and college graduates (-42%). The numbers underscore the broad dissatisfaction with Trump's performance, particularly among groups that had previously supported him.

The disapproval is also reflected in the numbers on voter intent for the 2026 congressional elections. Democrats continue to lead with 46% of registered voters saying they would vote for the Democratic Party candidate for U.S. Congress, while 40% say they would vote for the Republican candidate. This six-point lead is the largest on record since February.

A closer look at the poll numbers reveals that Trump's approval has taken a hit across the board, including among his own base. Among the roughly 60% of Republicans who are MAGA supporters, Trump's approval has remained relatively stable, but the share who disapprove has risen to 8%. This shift is particularly significant, as it suggests that support for Trump is eroding even among those who were once most loyal to him.

Another sign of Trump's shrinking base is the decline in the share of Americans who strongly approve of his job performance. With only 17% of Americans strongly approving, Trump has hit a new low for this term. This number is even lower than his first term, when Trump had a net approval rating of -10. In contrast, President Biden had a net approval rating of -17 at this point in his term.

Trump's administration has been criticized for its handling of numerous high-profile issues, including the COVID-19 pandemic, immigration, and racial tensions. The low approval ratings suggest that these policies have fallen short of expectations or have even exacerbated problems rather than alleviating them.

A look at the data suggests that the decline in Trump's approval has been steady over the past few months. In fact, the numbers reveal that nearly all Democrats disapprove of Trump's job performance, with 4% approving and 95% disapproving. This near-unanimous disapproval from Democrats has been a consistent trend throughout Trump's second term.

The same trend is evident among independents, with 71% disapproving of Trump's job performance. This represents a significant decline from the start of the year, when independents were more divided in their views of Trump. The shifting numbers among independent voters could have significant implications for the 2026 congressional elections.

As the 2026 congressional elections approach, the implications of Trump's low approval ratings are clear. The Democratic Party is poised to maintain its advantage, with many pundits predicting a shift in the balance of power in Congress. Meanwhile, the Republican Party is facing a challenge to regain voter trust and confidence. The road ahead will be difficult for both parties, but one thing is certain – the fate of the Trump presidency hangs precariously in the balance.

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