Trump's disapproval rating breaks unwanted record in new poll
The survey also showed the president with his worst net approval rating yet during his current White House tenure.
www.newsweek.comHere’s the latest on Donald Trump’s disapproval polling records based on recent coverage.
Overview
- A number of outlets reported that Trump’s disapproval rating reached new highs in early 2026, with several polls showing disapproval rates in the high 50s to around 60% range and trending upward in the run-up to the 2026 midterms.[1][6][7][8]
Key recent developments
- March 2026: A nationwide poll cited by Newsweek indicated Trump’s disapproval hit a new high for his current term, contributing to a record gap between approval and disapproval, as concerns over foreign policy and domestic issues influenced voters.[1]
- January–February 2026: Multiple outlets reported continued growth in disapproval relative to approval, aligning with broader dissatisfaction over economic concerns and policy directions among independents and some Republicans.[2][6][8]
- May 2026: A major poll communications discussion highlighted that disapproval remained at elevated levels, with analysts noting this as one of the strongest, if not the strongest, sustained signs of voter dissatisfaction during his presidency to date.[7]
Context and interpretation
- The rising disapproval is often framed against headwinds such as affordability pressures, concerns about foreign policy handling, and ongoing investigations or policy debates. Analysts frequently point out that while core supporters remain, the gaps widen among swing voters and outside of the base, which can affect election dynamics in many districts.[6][8][1]
- Different polls use different methodologies and question wording, so exact percentages vary by survey. However, the consistent theme across sources is that disapproval has reached or approached a record level in multiple 2026 assessments.[8][6]
What this means for politics
- A higher disapproval baseline can make it harder for Trump to expand beyond his core constituency and may influence party strategy in Congress and in state contests ahead of the midterms.[6][1]
- Voter sentiment on affordability, security, and international actions appears to be the drivers behind the disapproval gains in these polls.[2][7]
If you’d like, I can pull the latest specific poll figures (percent disapproval, margin of error, date, and methodology) from the sources above and summarize them in a quick side-by-side comparison. I can also provide a short chart visualizing disapproval trends across the cited polls. Would you prefer a textual summary or a chart?