President Donald Trump faces historically low approval ratings as he approaches the midpoint of his second term, according to several recent polls, a trend that is raising concern among Republicans ahead of November’s midterm elections. Despite this, the president continues to dismiss negative polling data and shows little indication of altering his political approach.
Recent surveys from CNN, the Associated Press-NORC Center, and Quinnipiac University place Trump’s approval ratings near or at the lowest levels of his presidency, with roughly one-third of Americans expressing support. This marks a stark contrast to past presidents who generally maintained higher approval at comparable points in their second terms. For example, Bill Clinton, Ronald Reagan, and Dwight D. Eisenhower had approval ratings well above 50 percent at similar stages. Among modern presidents, Trump’s ratings are comparable only to Richard Nixon’s extremely low numbers before his resignation amid the Watergate scandal.
Trump’s current approval challenges come amid ongoing concerns over a protracted conflict in Iran and persistently high gasoline prices, factors that appear to have eroded public support in areas where the president previously held relative strength, such as the economy and immigration policy. Public opposition to the war in Iran has intensified, with recent polling suggesting voters are now opposed by a two-to-one margin.
Despite these figures, Trump remains resolute, continuing to claim that polls are inaccurate or biased. In late June, he publicly asserted that his approval ratings were “THE HIGHEST THEY HAVE EVER BEEN.” White House officials have largely declined to engage directly with the unfavorable numbers but have highlighted the administration’s accomplishments on jobs, inflation, housing affordability, and foreign policy.
Political analysts note that Trump’s base remains loyal and that he tends to reject traditional political norms, often reacting with defiance to criticism or setbacks. His unpredictable style, characterized by rapid shifts in position and an emphasis on projecting strength, has enabled him to maintain influence over the Republican Party and national politics despite challenges to his popularity.
Still, Republicans express mounting anxiety about the electoral implications of the president’s fading public support. Some warn that strong disapproval among non-Trump voters could energize turnout for Democrats in key races. At the same time, the current political landscape is shaped by significant partisan polarization and redistricting, factors that may blunt the impact of a potential Democratic surge in the House.
Republican pollster Kristen Soltis Anderson observed that while approval ratings today tend to fluctuate within narrower ranges due to polarization, ratings in the low 30s suggest cracks in the president’s coalition beyond just swing voters. Observers also point out that Democrats face their own internal challenges and have yet to unify around a compelling alternative message, leaving some uncertainty about the election outcome.
Despite calls from some Republicans for a shift in focus toward issues like ending the conflict in Iran and addressing economic concerns, the president appears to be pursuing agenda items aimed at shaping his legacy, such as proposed renovations to the White House. Analysts suggest that Trump’s refusal to make significant changes stems from his confidence in his political style and base, which have helped him weather controversies and setbacks that might have derailed other politicians.