Trump’s Approval Rating Hits Historic Low in Early February Polls
Updated (2 articles)
Early‑Year Polls Show Unprecedented Negative Net Approval Four major national surveys conducted from early January through early February place President Donald Trump’s net approval between ‑19 and ‑26 points, a range described by CNN chief data analyst Harry Enten as unprecedented for a second‑term president [1]. The surveys collectively cover over 25,000 respondents, using both online panels and random‑digit dialing methods, and each reports margins of error between ±2.4 and ±3.9 percentage points [1]. Compared with a ‑14 net rating recorded in October and mid‑January, the new figures indicate a sharp decline in public sentiment [1].
AP‑NORC AmeriSpeak Survey Records Net ‑26 The AP‑NORC AmeriSpeak poll fielded Feb 5‑8 with 1,156 adults selected from the University of Chicago’s probability‑based panel and produced a net approval of ‑26, the most negative figure among the four polls [1]. The poll’s margin of error is ±3.9 percentage points, and its methodology combines online and telephone interviews to improve representativeness [1]. This result pushes Trump’s approval rating to a historic low for any president in the second half of a second term [1].
NBC Decision Desk and Quinnipiac Reveal Similar Declines NBC’s Decision Desk poll, conducted Jan 27‑Feb 6 with 21,995 online respondents, reported a net approval of ‑22 and a ±2.4 percentage‑point margin of error [1]. Quinnipiac’s telephone‑based survey of 1,191 registered voters from Jan 29‑Feb 2 found 37 % approve and 56 % disapprove, yielding a net ‑19 rating [1]. Both polls confirm a consistent negative swing across different sampling techniques and respondent pools [1].
YouGov/Yahoo Survey Aligns With Negative Trend The Yahoo News/YouGov survey collected responses from 1,709 U.S. adults between Jan 8‑12, reporting a net approval of ‑20 with a ±3.1 percentage‑point margin of error [1]. This figure sits between the NBC and Quinnipiac results, reinforcing the overall pattern of deep disapproval across early‑year polls [1]. The survey’s online panel methodology mirrors that of the NBC Decision Desk, adding credibility to the convergence of findings [1].
White House Defends Mandate Despite Historic Lows White House spokesman Davis Ingle responded to the poll data by citing the November 5 2024 election, in which nearly 80 million voters elected Trump, as the “ultimate poll” confirming his mandate [1]. Ingle argued that electoral victory outweighs any negative approval numbers and emphasized Trump’s continued dominance in American politics [1]. The administration’s stance highlights a disconnect between polling metrics and the executive branch’s narrative of legitimacy [1].
Related Tickers
Timeline
Dec 20, 2025 – InsiderAdvantage poll of 800 likely voters shows 49.5 % approve of President Trump, 41.1 % disapprove, yielding a net +8.4‑point approval, the strongest result for that pollster since August, highlighting a short‑term boost in support amid ongoing economic and foreign‑policy debates[2].
Jan 4‑5, 2026 – Reuters/Ipsos online survey of 1,248 U.S. adults records Trump’s approval at 42 %, up from 39 % in December and the highest level since October, marking the first directional rise in months across major national polls[2].
Jan 6, 2026 – Decision Desk HQ, Ballotpedia and VoteHub aggregates all show Trump’s approval still underwater, with national averages around 42‑43 % approval versus 53‑55 % disapproval, indicating the January uptick remains modest relative to overall negative sentiment[2].
Jan 8‑12, 2026 – YouGov/Yahoo survey of 1,709 adults reports a net approval of ‑20 points for Trump, reinforcing a broader pattern of negative ratings across early‑January polls[1].
Jan 27‑Feb 6, 2026 – NBC Decision Desk poll of 21,995 respondents yields a net approval of ‑22 points (±2.4 pp), contributing to the historic low approval range for a second‑term president[1].
Jan 29‑Feb 2, 2026 – Quinnipiac University poll of 1,191 registered voters finds 37 % approve and 56 % disapprove, a net ‑19‑point rating that drops from the ‑14 net recorded in October and mid‑January, underscoring a rapid decline[1].
Feb 5‑8, 2026 – AP‑NORC AmeriSpeak poll of 1,156 adults registers a net approval of ‑26 points (±3.9 pp), the deepest negative rating recorded for any president at this stage of a second term[1].
Early 2026 – The administration conducts a U.S. strike and diplomatic moves concerning Venezuela, actions that coincide with the modest approval rise and fuel public debate over foreign policy and economic anxiety[2].
Feb 18, 2026 – White House spokesman Davis Ingle defends Trump’s mandate, citing the Nov 5 2024 election in which “nearly 80 million Americans overwhelmingly elected President Trump,” and asserts the president remains the most dominant figure in American politics despite net‑negative poll numbers[1].
Feb 18, 2026 – Four major national surveys conducted between early January and early February place Trump’s net approval between ‑19 and ‑26 points, a range described by CNN chief data analyst Harry Enten as unprecedented for a second‑term president, highlighting a historic low in public support[1].