President Donald Trump’s approval ratings have been released, and the figures do not suggest a resounding victory. The 79-year-old president, now eight months into his second term, is facing some of the lowest presidential scores in recent US history, with comparisons to former leaders highlighting the stark contrast.
The most recent national poll from Gallup shows Trump with a 40 percent approval rating and 56 percent disapproval. This falls short of the presidential average of 52 percent recorded since 1938. Compared to his first term, where he averaged 41 percent, his current second-term average is slightly higher at 42 percent. His highest approval rating this year was 47 percent in January, but it dropped to a low of 37 percent in July.
The data reveals a sharp division in opinion along party lines. Among Republicans, Trump enjoys near-total support, with 93 percent backing him. Independents have moved away, with only 35 percent approving, and just 1 percent of Democrats expressing approval.
Looking at state-level data, the situation is even more complex. Morning Consult’s September update indicates that Trump has a positive approval rating in only 25 states, down from 27 the previous month. States like North Carolina and Nevada, which once supported him, now show a net negative rating. Georgia is the sole 2024 swing state still supporting him, while Arizona remains neutral.
In Tennessee, Trump enjoys strong support, with 58 percent approving and 38 percent disapproving, making it his sixth-best state. This is significant, as he recently announced plans to deploy the National Guard there as part of a crime crackdown. In contrast, only 41 percent approve of him in Illinois, while 55 percent disapprove.
Wyoming leads in support for Trump, with 62 percent of voters in favor, followed by Idaho, West Virginia, and South Dakota, where 60 percent approve of his performance. However, in Vermont, there is a significant 36-point gap between approval and disapproval, marking one of his worst ratings in the country.
In comparison to past presidents, Trump’s August ratings appear especially poor, as reported by USA Today. Barack Obama had a 53 percent approval at the same time in 2009, George W. Bush 56 percent in 2001, and Ronald Reagan an impressive 60 percent in 1981. Even Jimmy Carter, known for his difficulties, was at 63 percent in 1977. Trump, on the other hand, was at 36 percent in 2017 and only 40 percent this August, lower than any modern president at a similar stage of their term.
For a president known for defying expectations, Trump’s current numbers indicate a new, more challenging reality. While the 45th and 47th President of the United States may have firm support within the Republican base, their national approval ratings continue to languish at the lower end of the historical spectrum.
Despite this, Trump and his administration are often known for dismissing unfavorable statistics and pressing forward. Nonetheless, these figures provide additional material for his political adversaries to leverage against him.