President Donald Trump’s approval rating has dropped 6 points since April, a new poll by the University of Massachusetts Amherst shows.
Why It Matters
Trump has routinely touted positive approval ratings and polling. Declines in these numbers could hinder his political clout in an already highly polarized climate as the 2026 midterms approach.
When Trump returned to the White House in January, he coasted in with high approval figures. But after months marked by economic uncertainty and criticism that his administration has faced over policies like his handling of immigration and his recent tax bill, Trump has seen a dip.
The up-and-down nature of approval polls can paint a picture of the landscape heading into the 2026 elections, where Democrats hope to regain control of the House and the Senate.
What To Know
In the poll released over the weekend, Trump has a 38 percent approval rating versus a 58 percent disapproval rating. The poll was taken from July 25 to July 30 among 1,000 people with a 3.5 percent margin of error.
A poll by the University of Massachusetts Amherst in April showed the president with an approval rating of 44 percent and a disapproval rating of 51 percent.
Trump also landed lower numbers on key policy issues, including immigration and civil rights, in the latest poll. The president had slightly lower numbers on jobs and inflation, but within the margin of error.
A recent Gallup poll also showed Trump had a 37 percent approval rating, the lowest of his second term and approaching his 34 percent rating just before leaving office at the end of his first term in January 2025, following the January 6 riot at the U.S. Capitol.
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What People Are Saying
Robert Y. Shapiro, a professor of political science at Columbia University, told Newsweek: “This is not a stunning drop and reflect that Trump has been facing more bad news than good news concerning inflation, ICE’s going after undocumented immigrants who have not committed crimes and are holding jobs and have been stable members of their communities, the anticipated further inflation stemming from tariffs, and the parts of his ‘big, beautiful, bill’ that involves pending cuts in Medicaid and food assistance, while lowering taxes that benefit the wealthy most.”
Shapiro added that, “The continuation of the Epstein scandal just adds to this, and could even affect support of a small portion of Trump’s base.”
UMass Amherst on X on Monday: “A new UMass Amherst Poll finds President Trump’s net job approval has dropped to -20 six months into his term, while his approval rating on immigration has fallen 9 points since April.”
Fox News host Jessica Tarlov on X on Monday: “Donald Trump’s approval rating on inflation in the latest Fox News poll is 36%. Tariffs are driving up costs and the American people are angry. There’s no sugar coating that, no matter how some may try.”
President Donald Trump on Truth Social over the weekend: “THE DEMOCRATS ARE EXTORTIONISTS WHO ALMOST DESTROYED OUR COUNTRY. NOW WE ARE BACK, AND THE USA IS THE ‘HOTTEST’ COUNTRY ANYWHERE IN THE WORLD. MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN!!!”
What Happens Next
The impact of these consistently low approval ratings will be closely watched as the nation enters the 2026 midterm election cycle.
With broad disapproval of policies on the economy, immigration, and living costs, Democrats may see a possible opening, but have yet to translate this into a decisive lead as the party regroups after the 2024 election loss.
The coming months may determine whether Trump’s approval ratings rebound or continue to signal difficulties for Republicans heading into what is expected to be a highly competitive set of midterm elections.
