Politics
Trump’s Approval Rating Hits New Low: What the Latest Polls Show
By Jake Beardslee · September 6, 2025
Trump’s Approval Rating Hits New Low: What the Latest Polls Show
President Donald Trump is facing some of the toughest approval numbers of his presidency. More than six months into his second term, Americans appear increasingly dissatisfied with his leadership. A new wave of polling reveals a sharp downturn in public support.According to Newsweek’s approval tracker, Trump’s net rating has reached its lowest point since taking office. While approval ratings often fluctuate, the depth of his current slump suggests bigger challenges ahead for both Trump and the Republican Party as the country approaches the next round of elections.
Here’s a breakdown of what the latest numbers reveal—and what they could mean for the months to come. Katie Goodale / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
Record Numbers Signal Trouble
Newsweek reported that Trump’s net approval rating sank to -11 as of August 28, the worst result recorded since he assumed office. Just 43% of Americans said they approved of his performance, while 54% disapproved. That marks a further drop from his -10 rating a month earlier. Mandi Wright / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
Gains Quickly Erased
The President’s approval ratings have seesawed throughout the summer. After a modest recovery that brought him to -6 just last week, Trump experienced a sharp decline that erased those gains. This latest swing places him at his lowest-ever point on Newsweek’s tracker. Katie Goodale / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
Why Ratings Still Matter
Newsweek noted that approval ratings are not merely symbolic. They serve as a barometer for how Americans feel about a president’s leadership and policies. A slump in public support can ripple through to Congress and impact the Republican Party’s chances in upcoming elections. Conner Gan / Unsplash
Months of Erosion
Since taking office in January, Trump’s approval has been on a steady downward slope, according to several polls. Newsweek pointed to ongoing dissatisfaction with his handling of the economy, tariffs, and immigration policy as the main drivers of public frustration. Katie Goodale / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
Warning Signs for the Midterms
Trump’s deepening unpopularity could have serious consequences for Republicans in the 2026 midterm elections. Early indicators already show Democratic momentum, with recent election results hinting at possible trouble for the GOP. Katie Goodale / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
A Stunning Iowa Upset
In a striking example, Iowa Democrat Catelin Drey flipped a Republican-held state senate seat in the Sioux City area. CNN noted that Republicans had previously carried the district by 11 points, underscoring the significance of the upset. Aerra Carnicom, CC BY-SA 4.0 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Democrats Outperform Expectations
On election night, Drey secured victory by 10 points—an outcome CNN described as “a significant over-performance for Democrats” in a state that has leaned Republican for more than a decade. The result reflects shifting political dynamics that could spread beyond Iowa. Kelly Sikkema / Unsplash
GOP’s Historical Disadvantage
“While Republicans are hoping to thwart losses next November, history shows the party in the White House typically loses seats during the midterms,” Newsweek reported. The GOP is already contending with Trump’s waning popularity, which could exacerbate those historical trends. Andrew Craft / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
Lessons From 2018
During Trump’s first term in office, Democrats gained 41 House seats in the midterms. With polling numbers slipping again, the Republican Party may face an uphill battle to avoid a repeat of those losses in 2026. Andrew Craft / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
New Polls Show Even Worse Numbers
Newsweek’s tracker is not the only source of concern. A Quinnipiac University poll released on August 27 showed Trump at a net -18 approval rating—worse than the -14 he held in July, and far below the +3 he briefly achieved in January. Andrew Craft / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
Disapproval Widens Further
Quinnipiac found that just 37% of respondents approved of Trump’s performance, compared to 55% who disapproved. Megan Mendoza/The Republic / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
Polling Consensus Turns Negative
Additional surveys reflect the same trend. SoCal Strategies recorded Trump at a net -3 approval rating, down from +13 in January. Polls from Echelon Insights, YouGov/Economist, and Quinnipiac also show him underwater across nearly every major policy area. Mandi Wright / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
Uncertain Path Forward
The question now is how Trump’s approval ratings will shape both his presidency and the political future of his party. With midterms on the horizon, Republicans face mounting pressure to reckon with their leader’s approval rating—and voters could bring even more surprises at the ballot box. The White House / Wikimedia