As Trump’s second term progresses, his approval ratings show signs of decline. Recent figures reveal a drop in his net approval rating from -12.0 to -12.9 as of January 24, 2026. This rating is slightly better than his first term, where he had a net of -16.4. However, he still trails behind past presidents like Barack Obama and George W. Bush, who had lower disapproval rates one year into their second terms. Notably, Trump’s handling of immigration sits at a low of net -10.0, reflecting a significant challenge for his administration. Additionally, recent polls indicate that a majority approval was recorded by several polling organizations, highlighting the divided electorate regarding Trump’s presidency.
Polls from multiple sources indicate a trend of declining approval. An aggregate from Ballotpedia shows that 42.0% of people approve of Trump, while 55.0% disapprove, resulting in a -13.0 lead against him. Other polling organizations, like Decision Desk HQ, report similar numbers, with approval at 41.5% and disapproval at 55.9%, leading to a -14.4 rating.
Specific issues also reflect Trump’s struggles. His handling of immigration sits at a low of net -10.0, and the economy approval rating has only improved slightly, now at net -16.5, up from -20. Recent surveys indicate that overall and economy ratings are converging, suggesting a potential correlation between these issues.
Favorability ratings offer another glimpse into public sentiment. Decision Desk HQ shows 42.7% favorable and 53.6% unfavorable, while Echelon Insights reports only 34% favorable opinions. Strong approval ratings are particularly low; Echelon Insights found that only 16% strongly approve, while a significant 68% strongly disapprove.
Historically, Trump’s inaugural approval ratings are low. Expectations were high for immigration control, but hopes for political unity have been low.
Despite these numbers, some analysts argue that approval ratings may not matter as much in the long run. They suggest that Trump’s base remains loyal, regardless of fluctuating numbers. This loyalty might be enough to sustain his political ambitions despite the current decline in approval ratings.
