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Trump’s Approval Plummets to Record Lows Among Independents and Low‑Income Voters Ahead of State of the Union

Updated (52 articles)
  • Donald Trump arrives at an Angel Families remembrance ceremony held in the East Room at the White House February 23, 2026 in Washington, DC.
    Donald Trump arrives at an Angel Families remembrance ceremony held in the East Room at the White House February 23, 2026 in Washington, DC.
    Image: Newsweek
    Donald Trump arrives at an Angel Families remembrance ceremony held in the East Room at the White House February 23, 2026 in Washington, DC. Source Full size
  • Donald Trump gives a speech about the economy at the Coosa Steel Corporation factory in Rome, Georgia, on February 19, 2026
    Donald Trump gives a speech about the economy at the Coosa Steel Corporation factory in Rome, Georgia, on February 19, 2026
    Image: Newsweek
    Donald Trump gives a speech about the economy at the Coosa Steel Corporation factory in Rome, Georgia, on February 19, 2026 Source Full size
  • WASHINGTON, DC – FEBRUARY 12: U.S. President Donald Trump attends an event to announce a rollback of the 2009 Endangerment Finding in the Roosevelt Room at the White House on February 12, 2026 in Washington, DC. The Trump administration will repeal the 2009 central scientific finding that allows the EPA to regulate climate-warming emissions. (Photo by Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images)
    WASHINGTON, DC – FEBRUARY 12: U.S. President Donald Trump attends an event to announce a rollback of the 2009 Endangerment Finding in the Roosevelt Room at the White House on February 12, 2026 in Washington, DC. The Trump administration will repeal the 2009 central scientific finding that allows the EPA to regulate climate-warming emissions. (Photo by Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images)
    Image: Newsweek
    WASHINGTON, DC – FEBRUARY 12: U.S. President Donald Trump attends an event to announce a rollback of the 2009 Endangerment Finding in the Roosevelt Room at the White House on February 12, 2026 in Washington, DC. The Trump administration will repeal the 2009 central scientific finding that allows the EPA to regulate climate-warming emissions. (Photo by Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images) Source Full size
  • Donald Trump answers questions during a press briefing held at the White House February 20, 2026 in Washington, DC.
    Donald Trump answers questions during a press briefing held at the White House February 20, 2026 in Washington, DC.
    Image: Newsweek
    Donald Trump answers questions during a press briefing held at the White House February 20, 2026 in Washington, DC. Source Full size
  • President Donald Trump steps off of Air Force One after returning to the nation’s capital on February 19, 2026 at Joint Base Andrews, Maryland.
    President Donald Trump steps off of Air Force One after returning to the nation’s capital on February 19, 2026 at Joint Base Andrews, Maryland.
    Image: Newsweek
    President Donald Trump steps off of Air Force One after returning to the nation’s capital on February 19, 2026 at Joint Base Andrews, Maryland. Source Full size
  • Donald Trump speaks to members of the military and their families at Fort Bragg, North Carolina on February 13, 2026.
    Donald Trump speaks to members of the military and their families at Fort Bragg, North Carolina on February 13, 2026.
    Image: Newsweek
    Donald Trump speaks to members of the military and their families at Fort Bragg, North Carolina on February 13, 2026. Source Full size
  • Donald Trump arrives at an Angel Families remembrance ceremony held in the East Room at the White House February 23, 2026 in Washington, DC.
    Donald Trump arrives at an Angel Families remembrance ceremony held in the East Room at the White House February 23, 2026 in Washington, DC.
    Image: Newsweek
    Donald Trump arrives at an Angel Families remembrance ceremony held in the East Room at the White House February 23, 2026 in Washington, DC. Source Full size
  • WASHINGTON, DC – FEBRUARY 12: U.S. President Donald Trump attends an event to announce a rollback of the 2009 Endangerment Finding in the Roosevelt Room at the White House on February 12, 2026 in Washington, DC. The Trump administration will repeal the 2009 central scientific finding that allows the EPA to regulate climate-warming emissions. (Photo by Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images)
    WASHINGTON, DC – FEBRUARY 12: U.S. President Donald Trump attends an event to announce a rollback of the 2009 Endangerment Finding in the Roosevelt Room at the White House on February 12, 2026 in Washington, DC. The Trump administration will repeal the 2009 central scientific finding that allows the EPA to regulate climate-warming emissions. (Photo by Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images)
    Image: Newsweek
    WASHINGTON, DC – FEBRUARY 12: U.S. President Donald Trump attends an event to announce a rollback of the 2009 Endangerment Finding in the Roosevelt Room at the White House on February 12, 2026 in Washington, DC. The Trump administration will repeal the 2009 central scientific finding that allows the EPA to regulate climate-warming emissions. (Photo by Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images) Source Full size
  • Donald Trump answers questions during a press briefing held at the White House February 20, 2026 in Washington, DC.
    Donald Trump answers questions during a press briefing held at the White House February 20, 2026 in Washington, DC.
    Image: Newsweek
    Donald Trump answers questions during a press briefing held at the White House February 20, 2026 in Washington, DC. Source Full size
  • President Donald Trump steps off of Air Force One after returning to the nation’s capital on February 19, 2026 at Joint Base Andrews, Maryland.
    President Donald Trump steps off of Air Force One after returning to the nation’s capital on February 19, 2026 at Joint Base Andrews, Maryland.
    Image: Newsweek
    President Donald Trump steps off of Air Force One after returning to the nation’s capital on February 19, 2026 at Joint Base Andrews, Maryland. Source Full size
  • Donald Trump gives a speech about the economy at the Coosa Steel Corporation factory in Rome, Georgia, on February 19, 2026
    Donald Trump gives a speech about the economy at the Coosa Steel Corporation factory in Rome, Georgia, on February 19, 2026
    Image: Newsweek
    Donald Trump gives a speech about the economy at the Coosa Steel Corporation factory in Rome, Georgia, on February 19, 2026 Source Full size
  • Donald Trump speaks to members of the military and their families at Fort Bragg, North Carolina on February 13, 2026.
    Donald Trump speaks to members of the military and their families at Fort Bragg, North Carolina on February 13, 2026.
    Image: Newsweek
    Donald Trump speaks to members of the military and their families at Fort Bragg, North Carolina on February 13, 2026. Source Full size

Steep Nationwide Decline Among Independents and Low‑Income Voters The February 17‑20, 2026 SSRS poll of 2,496 adults recorded a 36 % overall approval rating, down from 48 % a year earlier, and a net‑approval swing of ‑22 points [2][1]. Among voters earning under $50,000, approval fell to 35 % (net ‑30), a ten‑point drop since the February 2025 survey [1]. Independent voters approved at a historic 26 %—the lowest level in Trump’s two terms—down from 41 % in February 2025 [2][1].

State‑by‑State Map Shows Entrenched Polarization With Narrow Battleground Gaps Civiqs data compiled from January 2025 to February 2026 reveals solid Republican majorities in West Virginia (+23 net points) and other red states, while Hawaii posts the worst net rating at ‑58 [3]. Traditional swing states display modest deficits: Pennsylvania ‑16, Michigan ‑21, Wisconsin ‑12, and several others hover around 44 % approval versus 52 % disapproval, leaving room for turnout effects [3]. Undecided voters remain a small 3‑6 % nationwide, indicating most adults have firm opinions [3].

National Polls Converge on Historic Negative Net Ratings Four major surveys between early January and early February 2026 place Trump’s net approval between ‑19 and ‑26 points, the deepest negative rating for a second‑term president at this stage [6]. The AP‑NORC AmeriSpeak poll (Feb 5‑8) reported a ‑26 net, NBC Decision Desk (Jan 27‑Feb 6) a ‑22 net, Quinnipiac (Jan 29‑Feb 2) a ‑19 net, and YouGov/Yahoo (Jan 8‑12) a ‑20 net [6]. The New York Times polling average shows 41 % approve and 56 % disapprove, while a Public Polling Project survey (Feb 16‑18) found 42.4 % approve and 54.6 % disapprove [4].

Methodological Outlier Suggests Slight Positive Net Rating An InsiderAdvantage poll of 800 likely voters (Feb 17‑18) reported 50 % approval versus 46 % disapproval, a net +4 points, contrasting sharply with other recent surveys [4]. Analyst Eli McKown‑Dawson notes the poll’s “house effects” require adjustment, converting the result to an effective ‑4 net, underscoring the importance of methodology in interpreting outliers [4].

White House Reiterates 2024 Election as the “Ultimate Poll” Spokesperson Davis Ingle repeatedly framed the November 5 2024 election—nearly 80 million votes—as the definitive mandate, dismissing current low numbers as temporary fluctuations [1][4][5][6]. Ingle’s statements appear in every article, emphasizing the administration’s view that electoral victory outweighs contemporary polling trends.

Sources

Videos (1)

Primary Data (7)

Gallup: Economy, Immigration, Abortion, Democracy Driving Voters

Published (6 tables/charts)

Gallup: Trump's Approval Rating Drops to 36%, New Second-Term Low

Published (6 tables/charts)

Quinnipac: Voters Give Democrats In Congress A Record Low Job Approval But Still Might Vote For Them In 2026, Quinnipiac University National Poll Finds; Majority Think Trump’S Use Of Presidential Power Goes Too Far

Published (49 tables/charts)

  • 1. Do you approve or disapprove of the way Donald Trump is handling his job as president?

    Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom
    Approve 40% 85% 2% 35% 46% 34%
    Disapprove 54 9 95 58 48 59
    DK/NA 6 5 3 8 6 7
    Source

  • 1a. Do you approve or disapprove of the way Donald Trump is handling his job as president? COMBINED WITH: (If approve/disapprove q1) Do you strongly or somewhat approve/disapprove?

    Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom
    Approve strongly 31% 72% - 23% 36% 26%
    Approve smwht 8 13 2 11 10 7
    Disapprove smwht 5 4 3 6 6 4
    Disapprove strongly 49 5 92 52 41 55
    DK/NA 7 6 3 8 7 7
    Source

  • 2. Do you approve or disapprove of the way the Democrats in Congress are handling their job?

    Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom
    Approve 18% 4% 42% 15% 15% 21%
    Disapprove 73 93 48 76 77 69
    DK/NA 9 3 9 9 8 10
    Source

  • 3. Do you approve or disapprove of the way the Republicans in Congress are handling their job?

    Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom
    Approve 35% 77% 4% 26% 40% 31%
    Disapprove 58 18 92 66 53 63
    DK/NA 7 5 4 9 7 7
    Source

  • 4. If the election were today, would you want to see the Republican Party or the Democratic Party win control of the United States House of Representatives?

    Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom
    Republican Party 43% 92% 2% 38% 49% 38%
    Democratic Party 47 5 95 46 40 53
    DK/NA 10 2 3 16 12 9
    Source

  • 5. Do you approve or disapprove of the way Robert F. Kennedy Jr. is handling his job as Secretary of Health and Human Services?

    Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom
    Approve 39% 75% 6% 36% 44% 34%
    Disapprove 53 17 90 54 48 58
    DK/NA 8 8 4 10 8 8
    Source

  • 6. Do you approve or disapprove of the way Kash Patel is handling his job as Director of the FBI?

    Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom
    Approve 35% 68% 5% 32% 39% 31%
    Disapprove 51 19 82 55 52 50
    DK/NA 14 13 14 13 9 19
    Source

  • 7. Do you approve or disapprove of the way Pam Bondi is handling her job as United States Attorney General?

    Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom
    Approve 31% 63% 6% 27% 35% 28%
    Disapprove 51 20 82 51 52 49
    DK/NA 18 18 12 22 13 23
    Source

  • 8. Do you approve or disapprove of the way Pete Hegseth is handling his job as Secretary of Defense?

    Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom
    Approve 38% 76% 4% 34% 44% 32%
    Disapprove 49 10 85 52 44 53
    DK/NA 14 14 10 14 11 16
    Source

  • 9. In general, how satisfied are you with the way things are going in the nation today; are you very satisfied, somewhat satisfied, somewhat dissatisfied, or very dissatisfied?

    Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom
    Very satisfied 13% 30% 1% 7% 16% 9%
    Smwht satisfied 26 49 6 26 29 24
    Smwht dissatisfied 15 9 13 19 18 12
    Very dissatisfied 45 11 79 46 36 53
    DK/NA 2 2 1 1 2 2
    Source

  • 10. In your opinion, what is the most urgent issue facing the country today: the economy, climate change, health care, immigration, abortion, racial inequality, crime, preserving democracy in the United States, international conflicts, or gun violence?

    Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom
    Economy 24% 28% 14% 28% 29% 19%
    Climate change 2 - 4 2 2 2
    Health care 10 7 12 10 8 11
    Immigration 18 32 10 13 17 18
    Abortion 2 5 - 1 2 1
    Racial inequality 3 1 5 4 3 3
    Crime 7 12 3 8 7 8
    Preserving democracy 24 9 40 24 21 26
    Intl conflicts 3 2 3 3 3 2
    Gun violence 3 2 6 2 2 4
    SOMETHING ELSE(VOL) 4 2 1 5 5 3
    DK/NA 2 1 2 1 1 2
    Source

  • 11. Do you approve or disapprove of the way Donald Trump is handling - the economy?

    Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom
    Approve 40% 85% 3% 34% 46% 34%
    Disapprove 57 12 96 63 50 63
    DK/NA 3 4 1 3 4 2
    Source

  • 12. Do you approve or disapprove of the way Donald Trump is handling - the military?

    Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom
    Approve 46% 92% 6% 41% 53% 39%
    Disapprove 51 6 92 54 44 56
    DK/NA 4 2 2 5 3 5
    Source

  • 13. Do you approve or disapprove of the way Donald Trump is handling - the Russia - Ukraine war?

    Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom
    Approve 35% 74% 2% 31% 40% 30%
    Disapprove 55 14 92 60 50 59
    DK/NA 10 12 5 10 9 10
    Source

  • 14. Do you approve or disapprove of the way Donald Trump is handling - foreign policy?

    Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom
    Approve 41% 84% 3% 37% 49% 33%
    Disapprove 54 8 95 58 47 60
    DK/NA 6 7 2 5 4 7
    Source

  • 15. Do you approve or disapprove of the way Donald Trump is handling - deportations?

    Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom
    Approve 42% 85% 3% 39% 49% 35%
    Disapprove 55 13 96 58 48 62
    DK/NA 3 2 1 4 3 3
    Source

  • 16. Do you approve or disapprove of the way Donald Trump is handling - trade?

    Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom
    Approve 40% 80% 3% 38% 47% 34%
    Disapprove 55 15 94 56 48 61
    DK/NA 5 5 3 5 5 5
    Source

  • 17. Do you approve or disapprove of the way Donald Trump is handling - immigration issues?

    Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom
    Approve 44% 87% 4% 41% 51% 37%
    Disapprove 54 11 94 57 47 61
    DK/NA 2 2 2 2 3 2
    Source

  • 18. Do you approve or disapprove of the way Donald Trump is handling - health care?

    Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom
    Approve 34% 72% 3% 28% 41% 27%
    Disapprove 59 17 95 63 52 65
    DK/NA 7 11 2 9 7 8
    Source

  • 19. Who do you think is more responsible for the current state of the economy: Joe Biden or Donald Trump?

    Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom
    Biden 34% 60% 11% 32% 33% 34%
    Trump 57 32 84 58 54 59
    DK/NA 10 8 5 10 13 7
    Source

  • 20. When it comes to using the power of the presidency, do you think Donald Trump is going too far, isn't going far enough, or is handling it about right?

    Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom
    Too far 54% 11% 96% 59% 47% 61%
    Not far enough 7 10 1 7 9 5
    About right 37 77 2 33 42 33
    DK/NA 2 1 1 1 2 2
    Source

  • 21. Which political party do you think can do a better job of handling - health care; the Democratic party or the Republican party?

    Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom
    Democratic Party 51% 11% 91% 55% 46% 57%
    Republican Party 37 82 4 27 42 32
    NO DIFF (VOL) 6 2 1 9 5 6
    DK/NA 6 5 3 9 7 6
    Source

  • 22. Which political party do you think can do a better job of handling - the economy; the Democratic party or the Republican party?

    Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom
    Democratic Party 41% 5% 88% 37% 35% 47%
    Republican Party 46 93 4 43 50 42
    NO DIFF (VOL) 7 2 3 10 6 7
    DK/NA 6 1 4 9 8 4
    Source

  • 23. Which political party do you think can do a better job of handling - immigration; the Democratic party or the Republican party?

    Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom
    Democratic Party 42% 5% 88% 38% 34% 48%
    Republican Party 47 92 8 43 53 42
    NO DIFF (VOL) 7 1 2 12 6 8
    DK/NA 5 2 2 6 7 2
    Source

  • 24. Which political party do you think can do a better job of preserving democracy in the United States; the Democratic party or the Republican party?

    Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom
    Democratic Party 49% 11% 92% 50% 42% 56%
    Republican Party 40 84 5 34 45 36
    NO DIFF (VOL) 5 1 1 9 4 5
    DK/NA 6 4 2 7 9 3
    Source

  • 25. Which political party do you think is more in touch with the concerns of most people in the United States; the Democratic party or the Republican party?

    Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom
    Democratic Party 44% 6% 89% 44% 38% 50%
    Republican Party 42 86 4 38 46 39
    NO DIFF (VOL) 7 5 4 8 9 5
    DK/NA 7 3 3 10 8 6
    Source

  • 26. How confident are you in Pete Hegseth's leadership of the U.S. military; very confident, somewhat confident, not so confident, or not confident at all?

    Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom
    Very confident 25% 56% 2% 20% 31% 20%
    Somewhat confident 20 26 14 21 19 21
    Not so confident 7 1 8 12 7 8
    Not confident at all 40 6 73 42 36 44
    DK/NA 7 11 3 5 7 8
    Source

  • 27. How confident are you in vaccine information cited by Robert F. Kennedy Jr.; very confident, somewhat confident, not so confident, or not confident at all?

    Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom
    Very confident 17% 36% - 16% 21% 14%
    Somewhat confident 23 42 8 21 23 22
    Not so confident 10 8 10 11 13 8
    Not confident at all 47 9 79 51 39 53
    DK/NA 3 5 3 2 4 2
    Source

  • 28. Do you approve or disapprove of the way the Trump administration is handling the Jeffrey Epstein files?

    Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom
    Approve 26% 55% 3% 22% 28% 24%
    Disapprove 65 29 94 71 63 67
    DK/NA 9 16 3 7 9 8
    Source

  • 29. The Supreme Court ruled in 1898 that under the U.S. Constitution anyone born in the United States is a U.S. citizen, regardless of their parents' citizenship. Do you think the court should keep that ruling in place, or reverse it?

    Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom
    Keep 70% 43% 96% 75% 66% 74%
    Reverse 24 50 3 20 26 21
    DK/NA 6 7 1 5 8 4
    Source

  • 30. If you had to choose, which would you prefer: giving most undocumented immigrants in the United States a pathway to legal status or deporting most undocumented immigrants in the United States?

    Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom
    Giving pathway 57% 20% 90% 62% 52% 62%
    Deporting 35 71 6 30 40 30
    DK/NA 8 9 4 7 8 8
    Source

  • 31. In its treatment of undocumented immigrants in the United States, do you think the Trump administration is being: too harsh, too lenient, or handling this about right?

    Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom
    Too harsh 55% 11% 95% 61% 48% 62%
    Too lenient 6 13 - 6 9 5
    About right 36 74 5 32 42 31
    DK/NA 2 2 - 1 2 2
    Source

  • 32. Would you describe the state of the nation's economy these days as excellent, good, not so good, or poor?

    Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom
    Excellent 3% 8% - 1% 3% 2%
    Good 31 56 11 27 35 27
    Not so good 35 27 47 35 37 33
    Poor 30 7 42 35 24 37
    DK/NA 2 1 - 2 2 1
    Source

  • 33. Do you think the nation's economy is getting better, getting worse, or staying about the same?

    Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom
    Better 30% 66% 1% 24% 37% 24%
    Worse 48 11 84 50 40 57
    The same 21 23 15 26 23 19
    DK/NA 1 1 1 - 1 1
    Source

  • 34. Would you describe your financial situation these days as excellent, good, not so good, or poor?

    Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom
    Excellent 15% 21% 13% 13% 15% 15%
    Good 51 59 50 48 56 47
    Not so good 21 11 28 25 20 23
    Poor 11 7 9 13 9 13
    DK/NA 2 1 1 1 1 3
    Source

  • 35. Do you think Donald Trump's policies are helping the nation's economy, hurting the nation's economy, or aren't making much of a difference?

    Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom
    Helping 36% 79% - 30% 42% 30%
    Hurting 50 8 92 51 42 56
    No difference 12 10 8 16 13 12
    DK/NA 3 2 - 3 3 2
    Source

  • 36. Do you think Donald Trump's policies are helping your personal financial situation, hurting your personal financial situation, or aren't making much of a difference?

    Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom
    Helping 25% 54% 3% 20% 31% 21%
    Hurting 36 5 63 40 30 41
    No difference 37 40 33 39 37 36
    DK/NA 2 1 1 1 2 2
    Source

  • 37. How serious a problem do you think the cost of living is in the United States today; a very serious problem, a somewhat serious problem, a not so serious problem, or not a problem at all?

    Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom
    Very serious 64% 45% 81% 63% 62% 67%
    Smwht serious 28 39 18 31 30 27
    Not so serious 5 11 1 3 4 5
    Not a problem at all 2 3 - 2 2 1
    Source

  • 38. How easy or difficult is it for you to afford - groceries; very easy, somewhat easy, somewhat difficult, or very difficult?

    Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom
    Very easy 26% 43% 18% 21% 27% 24%
    Somewhat easy 36 37 36 37 37 35
    Somewhat difficult 25 15 29 29 25 25
    Very difficult 12 4 17 12 10 13
    DK/NA 2 - - 1 1 2
    Source

  • 39. How easy or difficult is it for you to afford - gas; very easy, somewhat easy, somewhat difficult, or very difficult?

    Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom
    Very easy 33% 52% 23% 29% 36% 31%
    Somewhat easy 32 28 33 37 34 31
    Somewhat difficult 21 12 26 24 20 21
    Very difficult 8 3 9 8 6 11
    DK/NA 6 5 10 2 4 7
    Source

  • 40. How easy or difficult is it for you to afford - electricity; very easy, somewhat easy, somewhat difficult, or very difficult?

    Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom
    Very easy 33% 53% 24% 26% 33% 32%
    Somewhat easy 30 28 30 35 35 26
    Somewhat difficult 23 14 27 25 20 25
    Very difficult 11 4 17 11 10 13
    DK/NA 3 2 2 3 3 3
    Source

  • 41. How easy or difficult is it for you to afford - holiday gifts; very easy, somewhat easy, somewhat difficult, or very difficult?

    Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom
    Very easy 22% 33% 16% 18% 25% 18%
    Somewhat easy 34 44 27 33 35 32
    Somewhat difficult 24 11 33 27 24 23
    Very difficult 18 7 23 20 12 23
    DK/NA 4 5 2 2 3 4
    Source

  • 42. How easy or difficult is it for you to afford - rent or mortgage; very easy, somewhat easy, somewhat difficult, or very difficult?

    Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom
    Very easy 25% 40% 16% 23% 26% 24%
    Somewhat easy 30 34 27 32 30 30
    Somewhat difficult 22 12 26 26 26 19
    Very difficult 13 5 19 12 11 15
    DK/NA 10 10 11 7 8 12
    Source

  • 43. How easy or difficult is it for you to afford - health care; very easy, somewhat easy, somewhat difficult, or very difficult?

    Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom
    Very easy 28% 46% 18% 20% 30% 26%
    Somewhat easy 31 30 30 36 31 31
    Somewhat difficult 21 14 26 24 18 23
    Very difficult 19 8 25 19 19 18
    DK/NA 2 1 2 1 2 2
    Source

  • 44. Thinking about the war between Russia and Ukraine, do you think Donald Trump is favoring Russia too much, favoring Ukraine too much, or striking about the right balance?

    Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom
    Favoring Russia 48% 12% 84% 51% 44% 52%
    Favoring Ukraine 3 2 3 5 4 2
    Right balance 36 71 7 31 41 31
    DK/NA 13 15 5 13 12 14
    Source

  • 45. How closely have you been following news about the U.S. military buildup and actions in the Caribbean Sea and Pacific Ocean targeting Venezuela in what the Trump administration says is a campaign to stop the flow of illegal drugs; very closely, somewhat closely, or not too closely?

    Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom
    Very closely 42% 43% 41% 40% 49% 36%
    Somewhat closely 35 37 36 35 33 37
    Not too closely 22 18 23 25 17 26
    DK/NA 1 2 - 1 1 1
    Source

  • 46. Do you support or oppose U.S. military attacks to kill suspected drug smugglers on boats in international waters?

    Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom
    Support 42% 83% 6% 38% 48% 36%
    Oppose 53 14 89 57 48 59
    DK/NA 5 3 4 5 4 5
    Source

  • 47. Do you support or oppose U.S. military action inside Venezuela?

    Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom
    Support 25% 52% 4% 19% 31% 19%
    Oppose 63 33 89 68 59 67
    DK/NA 12 15 7 13 10 15
    Source

  • 48. Australia has a ban on social media for kids under 16 years of age. Would you like to see a similar ban in the United States, or not?

    Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom
    Yes/Would 61% 65% 58% 62% 57% 64%
    No 34 32 36 34 37 31
    DK/NA 5 3 6 4 6 4
    Source

Pew: 2. Views of Trump’s policies and confidence in his ability to handle issues

Published (5 tables/charts)

Pew: Confidence in Trump Dips, and Fewer Now Say They Support His Policies and Plans

Published (6 tables/charts)

Pew: Confidence in Trump Dips, and Fewer Now Say They Support His Policies and Plans

Published (6 tables/charts)

Pew: Few Americans support Trump’s proposed takeover of Greenland

Published (1 tables/charts)

Timeline

Nov 5, 2024 – Trump wins the presidential election, securing nearly 80 million votes, which his White House cites as a mandate for his agenda; Davis Ingle emphasizes that “nearly 80 million Americans overwhelmingly elected President Trump.” [7][8]

May 2024 – Trump’s administration launches a foreign‑policy shift, including bombing Iran’s nuclear sites in support of Israel, which later triggers a sharp drop in his approval ratings. [7]

Early 2025 – The Federal Reserve cuts rates twice, lowering the policy rate to about 3.9 % while inflation hovers near 3 %, providing the macro backdrop for Trump’s affordability messaging. [1]

Dec 10, 2025 – At a rally in Pennsylvania, Trump declares that “consumer prices are falling tremendously” and says making America affordable again is his top priority, while announcing a $12 billion aid package for farmers. [1]

Dec 12‑15, 2025 – A Fox News poll finds 44 % approve Trump’s overall performance but only 39 % approve his economic management; 72 % rate economic conditions as fair or poor and the November CPI shows inflation at 2.7 %. [20]

Dec 18, 2025 – Trump delivers a prime‑time national address claiming his administration has “fixed the economy” and attacks President Biden, though fact‑checkers label many of his statistics as exaggerated. [5]

Dec 24, 2025 – A CNN/SSRS poll reveals that about four in ten Americans feel neither Trump nor Democratic leaders listen to them, and 78‑year‑old Betty Glazebrook urges Trump to “focus on the economy because it’s awful.” [4]

Dec 25, 2025 – Nate Silver’s polling average places Trump’s net approval at –12.5, noting a recent rebound from a –15‑point low in late November. [18]

Dec 26‑29, 2025 – YouGov/Economist surveys show low‑income approval at 38 % (net –16) and working‑class approval at 31 % (net –34), reflecting volatility as inflation and labor‑market weakness persist. [14][17]

Dec 30, 2025 – Harvard Youth and GenForward polls report that disapproval among men ages 18‑29 climbs to 62 % and 55 % respectively, indicating a slip in Trump’s support among young men who helped him win in 2024. [16]

Jan 5‑7, 2026 – CBS News/YouGov finds Trump’s net approval among Gen Z voters plunges to –32, a sharp reversal from earlier gains in his second term. [13]

Jan 8‑12, 2026 – Yahoo News/YouGov reports a net approval of –20, while the AP‑NORC poll shows economy approval rising modestly to 37 % and overall approval hovering near 40 %. [8][28]

Jan 9‑12, 2026 – The Economist/YouGov low‑income wave records 36 % approval (net –18), a slight rebound from the previous week’s 34 % approval. [14]

Jan 12‑15, 2026 – The AP‑NORC poll notes immigration approval falls to 38 % from 49 % in March, while 45 % say Trump helped immigration and border security and foreign‑policy disapproval sits around 60 %. [28]

Jan 16‑20, 2026 – The American Research Group poll places Trump at 35 % approval (net –28) and 32 % approve his handling of the economy, the lowest ARG reading since his second term began. [12]

Jan 23‑26, 2026 – A Fox News urban poll shows Trump’s job approval in cities rises to 40 % from 34 % in December, though national approval stays flat at 44 %. [11]

Jan 31‑Feb 1, 2026 – InsiderAdvantage reports Trump’s approval rebounds to 50 % after a dip following the Minneapolis Border Patrol shooting, and Trump posts on Truth Social, “The highest Poll Numbers I have ever received.” [9]

Feb 2, 2026 – Multiple surveys, including an AP‑NORC poll, reveal most Americans doubt Trump’s “affordability” focus, with half saying his policies have made life less affordable and 60 % criticize ICE’s aggressive tactics. [26]

Feb 3, 2026 – The Harvard CAPS/Harris poll shows overall job approval at 45 % and economic approval slipping to 43 %, while 63 % still credit Trump for the economy. [10]

Feb 5, 2026 – InsiderAdvantage’s 50 % approval figure appears alongside Trump’s Truth Social claim that the Dow will hit 100,000 by the end of his term, underscoring his optimistic market rhetoric. [6][9]

Feb 10, 2026 – A Big Data poll records Trump’s approval at 42.4 % and disapproval at 54.6 %, the lowest level of his second term, with “strongly disapprove” now outpacing total approval. [7]

Feb 18‑19, 2026 – Four major national surveys (AP‑NORC, NBC Decision Desk, Quinnipiac, YouGov/Yahoo) place Trump’s net approval between –19 and –26, a historic low for a president midway through a second term. [8]

Feb 20, 2026 – The Big Data poll confirms Trump’s approval at a record low of 42.4 % and notes the decline began after a May 2024 foreign‑policy focus. [7]

Feb 23, 2026 – A CNN poll shows independents approve Trump at a record low of 26 %, overall approval slips to 36 %, and 57 % of respondents demand he address the economy and cost of living in his State of the Union address on Tuesday. [6]

Feb 24, 2026 – Trump’s State of the Union is scheduled for Tuesday night, where he is expected to emphasize economic and cost‑of‑living issues amid mounting public pressure. [6]

Nov 2026 (future) – Midterm elections loom, with analysts warning that Trump’s declining approval and economic dissatisfaction could jeopardize Republican control of Congress. [15][25]

2028 (future speculation) – Former adviser Steve Bannon hints at a possible Trump run in 2028, while Trump mentions potential successors such as Vice President JD Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio. [25]

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