President Donald Trump’s approval rating has fallen to 41% according to the latest national survey, marking his lowest level since returning to office in his second term.
The YouGov poll shows 52% of Americans disapprove of Trump’s job performance, a significant shift from the post-inauguration period when his approval briefly exceeded 50% in January. The decline follows months of executive orders, trade disputes, immigration actions, and ongoing media confrontations.
What the Numbers Show
Republican support remains at 82%, but this represents a five-point decrease from his first term peak. Among independents, the situation is more precarious, with only 32% approval and nearly two-thirds disapproving.
State-level polling reveals erosion in traditional Trump strongholds. In Iowa, approval dropped from 55% to 46%, while Ohio fell from 57% to 48%. Florida, once a political fortress, now sits below 50% for the first time since 2019.
Suburban voters show the sharpest decline, despite this demographic helping return Trump to office in 2024. Among younger voters under 30, disapproval reaches 72%, while Black voters show 81% disapproval and Latino voters register 63% disapproval.
The Administration’s Response
Trump has dismissed the polling data as inaccurate. “The fake news loves their fake polls,” he posted on Truth Social, arguing that improving economic conditions will shift public opinion.
When confronted with falling numbers during a Fox News interview with Martha MacCallum, Trump criticized the network’s polling methodology. “Fox polling – I’ve told you before – it’s the worst polling I’ve ever had,” he said.
Campaign officials argue the numbers reflect “feelings, not facts,” pointing to job creation, declining inflation, and wage growth as substantive achievements regardless of approval ratings.
What This Means
Political analysts warn that approval ratings below 45% historically correlate with significant House losses during midterm elections, averaging 28 seats for the president’s party. Lower approval also influences congressional willingness to support presidential initiatives.
Despite the decline, Trump’s base remains highly loyal, with 89% of self-identified MAGA voters saying they would “definitely” vote for him again. His strategy of portraying himself as fighting against media and institutional elites continues to resonate with core supporters.
No Democratic alternative has emerged with comparable favorability ratings, with Kamala Harris at 39% and Gavin Newsom at 37%, suggesting voter discontent with Trump has not translated to enthusiasm for potential replacements.
This story has been updated. CNN’s political team contributed to this report.