Top Headlines

Feeds

Trump’s Overall Approval Falls to 45% in January Poll Amid Midterm Build‑Up

Updated (5 articles)
  • US President Donald Trump speaks to the press in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington, DC, on February 2, 2026.
    US President Donald Trump speaks to the press in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington, DC, on February 2, 2026.
    Image: Newsweek
    US President Donald Trump speaks to the press in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington, DC, on February 2, 2026. Source Full size
  • US President Donald Trump speaks to the press in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington, DC, on February 2, 2026.
    US President Donald Trump speaks to the press in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington, DC, on February 2, 2026.
    Image: Newsweek
    US President Donald Trump speaks to the press in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington, DC, on February 2, 2026. Source Full size

January Harvard CAPS/Harris Survey Highlights Declining Support The online poll of 2,000 registered voters conducted Jan 28‑29 2026 shows Trump’s overall job approval at 45%, a two‑point drop from December’s 47% [1]. Immigration policy approval fell to 46% from 49% in December, continuing a slide that began in early 2025 [1]. Economic approval slipped to 43%, down from a February 2025 high of 49%, while foreign‑affairs approval fell to 42% from 45% in December [1].

Issue Ratings Hit New Lows Amid Inflation and Economic Anxiety Voters expressed heightened concern over inflation and a shrinking economy, driving the economy rating to its lowest point since early 2025 [1]. Foreign‑affairs approval also reached a new low, reflecting broader unease about the administration’s global posture [1]. The poll’s ±2‑point margin of error underscores a gradual erosion of multi‑issue support throughout the past year [1].

Public Still Credits Trump for Economic Conditions Despite low issue ratings, 63% of respondents attribute the current state of the economy to Trump, an 11‑point rise from the previous survey [1]. This contrast highlights a disconnect between perceived policy performance and partisan credit‑taking [1]. The increase suggests that economic attribution remains a potent political asset for the president heading into the 2026 midterms [1].

ICE Protest Handling Receives Modest Majority Backing narrow 51% of voters approve of Trump’s response to ICE protests in Minneapolis [1]. However, 57% say ICE has “gone too far,” 55% disapprove of city enforcement, 86% demand body‑camera use, and 80% want agents to show identification during operations [1]. These figures illustrate continued public skepticism toward immigration enforcement tactics despite slight approval of the president’s protest response [1].

Sources

Related Tickers

by TradingView

Timeline

Early 2025 – Trump’s multi‑issue approval slides from the mid‑50s, beginning a gradual erosion across immigration, the economy and foreign affairs [1].

Feb 2025 – Economy approval peaks at 49% in a Harvard CAPS/Harris poll, the highest level since his first term [1].

Mar 2025 – Overall presidential approval hovers around 40% as Trump starts his second term; immigration approval sits at 49% and 88% of Republicans back his immigration stance [4]; [3].

Mar 2025 – Republican approval of Trump’s economic performance stands at 78%, while overall AP‑NORC economy approval is 40% [5].

Nov 30, 2025 – Gallup poll records Trump’s approval at a second‑term low of 36% with 60% disapproval; the MAGA coalition shrinks and Hispanic favorability falls to 25% [2].

Dec 11, 2025 – AP‑NORC poll finds economy approval at a historic low of 31%, immigration approval at 38%, overall approval at 36%, and Republican economy approval dropping to 69% [5].

Jan 1, 2026 (effective) – Federal health‑care subsidies for over 20 million Americans expire, raising out‑of‑pocket costs and shaping voter sentiment on the economy [3].

Jan 8‑11, 2026 – AP‑NORC poll shows Trump’s overall approval steadies near 40%; economy approval rises to 37% and immigration approval falls to 38%; foreign‑policy disapproval sits at ~60%; Trump claims “the Trump economic boom has officially begun” [4].

Mid‑Jan 2026 – The death of immigration activist Renee Good occurs, adding a somber note to the immigration debate [4].

Jan 16, 2026 – AP‑NORC poll reveals Republicans still give Trump an 80% job‑approval rating, but GOP immigration approval drops to 76% from 88% in March; health‑care subsidy loss and a Minneapolis shooting fuel mixed views on enforcement [3].

Feb 3, 2026 – Harvard CAPS/Harris poll reports overall job approval at 45% in January, immigration approval at 46%, economy approval at 43% (down from Feb 2025 high), foreign‑affairs approval at 42%, and 63% of respondents credit Trump for the economy, underscoring continued but modest erosion as the 2026 midterms loom [1].

Fall 2026 (midterm season) – Shifting approvals set the stage for competitive races, including Tennessee’s 7th District, which polls as a statistical tie that could flip a historically red seat [2].

All related articles (5 articles)

External resources (9 links)