As of early September 2026 (around September 6–8), President Donald Trump’s job approval rating in his second term sits in the mid-to-high 30s percent range on average, with net approval typically around –17 to –21 points. Aggregators show roughly 35–41% approval and 56–63% disapproval, depending on the source and methodology (adults vs. registered/likely voters, weighting, etc.). Individual recent polls have hit new lows for his current term in some cases.
Key Aggregates and Recent Polls
Major polling averages (updated around September 6–8, 2026) include:
| Aggregator | Approve | Disapprove | Net | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| RealClearPolitics | ~39.6–39.7% | ~56.9–57% | ~–17 to –17.3 | One of the higher averages |
| Silver Bulletin (Nate Silver) | ~38.1–38.2% | ~58.2–58.4% | ~–19.5 to –20 | Slightly up from a second-term low near –20.6 earlier |
| New York Times | ~38% | ~58% | ~–20 | — |
| Ballotpedia | 41% | 56% | –15 | Higher end |
| The Economist/YouGov | ~35% | ~61% | ~–26 | Lower end |
| CNN | ~35% | ~63% | ~–28 | — |
| Overall rough average | ~37–38% | ~58–59% | ~–20 to –21 | Across multiple trackers |
Recent individual polls highlighting lows:
- Financial Times/Focaldata (late August–early September): 33% approve (or ~32% in some reports), a low for that tracker since May; Republican approval slipped to 72%.
- NBC News: 36% (record low for their second-term tracking in some reports).
- Others in the low-to-mid 30s (e.g., Quinnipiac ~32%, some Economist/YouGov and CNN readings earlier in the summer around 32–34%). Rasmussen (often higher for Republicans) has shown ~42% among likely voters recently, with a Presidential Approval Index around –21.
Trump started his second term (January 2025) around 47–50% approval—already relatively low historically—and the rating declined steadily through 2025 into 2026, with periods of modest recovery followed by further drops. By mid-to-late summer 2026 he ranked among the least popular presidents at a comparable point in a term (second only to Nixon near resignation in some historical comparisons). State-level data (e.g., Civiqs) shows him underwater nationally (net ~–26 in one snapshot) and in every major swing state, with the strongest (still limited) support in deep-red states that have also seen declines.
Republican base support remains high overall (typically 70–80%+ approval among GOP voters), though some recent polls show softening, including declines in “strong” approval and among self-identified MAGA voters. Independents and Democrats drive the overall negative numbers.
Why the Ratings Are Low
The primary drivers are interconnected economic pain (especially cost of living/inflation and gas prices) and the ongoing war with Iran, compounded by trade/tariff policies. These reverse or undercut key 2024 campaign themes (economy, inflation control, avoiding “forever wars”).
- Economy, cost of living, and inflation: This is consistently the weakest area. Large shares of voters say they are financially worse off under Trump (e.g., 57% in the recent FT poll, up from prior months), that the economy is headed in the wrong direction (near two-thirds in some surveys), and that they disapprove of his handling of jobs/the economy, inflation, and prices. Net approval on cost of living/inflation has been deeply negative (sometimes worse than –40 in trackers). Gas prices rose significantly due to oil market disruptions from the Iran conflict (national averages climbing into the $4+ range at peaks, with many reporting hardship). Tariffs (including recent high rates on Canadian goods and broader “Liberation Day”-style measures) are widely unpopular, with majorities (including many independents and a notable share of Republicans) disapproving.
- Iran war: Launched/escalated in early 2026 (with U.S. involvement alongside Israel and ongoing issues in the Strait of Hormuz affecting global oil trade), it has proven far longer and costlier than initially framed. Public opposition is high (majorities oppose it or say it has not been worth the costs in lives, money, and economic fallout; many expect it to continue for an extended period). Approval of Trump’s handling of Iran is often in the mid-to-high 20s or low 30s. The conflict has driven up energy prices, complicated the domestic agenda, and eroded support even among some Republicans. Ratings have fluctuated with ceasefires or escalations.
- Other contributing factors: Immigration (initially stronger but later underwater), trade policy broadly, perceptions of focus on foreign conflict over domestic issues, and some erosion among the base. Issue trackers show Trump underwater on core campaign priorities (economy, immigration, trade, cost of living) by mid-to-late 2026. Partisan polarization remains extreme (very high Democratic disapproval, solid but not invulnerable Republican support).
Context and Implications
Low presidential approval this close to midterms (November 2026) historically pressures the president’s party. Polls have shown pluralities saying Trump makes it harder for Republicans to win, and some erosion in enthusiasm or strong support within the GOP base. Democrats have held advantages on the generic ballot in various surveys. Stock market performance and other metrics have not fully offset household-level cost pressures for many voters.
Approval ratings are volatile and can shift with events (e.g., progress on Iran, economic data, or other news). Different pollsters use different samples and methods, so averages provide the most reliable snapshot. Trump’s numbers remain polarized along familiar demographic and partisan lines, with stronger relative support among White voters, men, non-college-educated groups, and in red states—though even those groups have shown softening in some data compared with early 2025.
In short, the latest picture is one of sustained underwater ratings driven mainly by pocketbook concerns amplified by the Iran conflict and related policy choices, heading into a critical midterm period.
