Trump's Net Approval Rating Dips to Second-Term Low:...

By Anna Commander

Deputy News Editor

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President Donald Trump's net approval rating has dropped to a second-term low, according to a daily presidential tracking poll from Rasmussen Reports on Wednesday.

Why It Matters

Trump’s overall approval rating has reached the lowest point of his second term, according to a series of national polls released in late 2025. The downturn in approval occurs as the administration contends with persistent economic concerns, ongoing controversy over the release of the Jeffrey Epstein files and a shifting political climate ahead of the 2026 midterm elections.

Presidential approval ratings are closely watched indicators of public sentiment and can influence party strategy, legislative momentum and the prospects of candidates in upcoming elections.

What To Know

According to Rasmussen Reports, the president's approval rating is 44 percent, and his disapproval rating is 55 percent, making his net approval rating -11 percent. The poll surveyed 1,500 likely voters and has a margin of error of 2.5 percent. Rasmussen's daily tracking poll surveys 300 likely voters per night, then reports the results on a five-day rolling average basis, the pollster says.

On Tuesday, the president's net approval rating with the pollster was -9 percent, and -7 percent on Monday. The closest the president's net approval was to reaching -11 percent was on November 14, when Trump had a 44 percent approval rating versus a 54 percent disapproval rating, making his net approval -10 percent.

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What People Are Saying

Columbia University professor Robert Y. Shapiro, to Newsweek via email on Wednesday: "That even Rasmussen has his ratings falling shows the mounting effects of more bad news than good news on the economy, the Epstein scandal, the disruption that ICE has caused and its overreach nationwide, and the defeats that his party has had in the off-year elections. This does not bode well for Republicans in the midterm congressional elections, which is very bad news for Trump who may have to deal with a Democratic controlled House of Representatives and possibly Senate, which will not only thwart any partisan policy initiatives but could lead to painful investigations of him and his administration."

Trump, last month on Truth Social: "I HAVE JUST GOTTEN THE HIGHEST POLL NUMBERS OF MY 'POLITICAL CAREER.' While my great work on the Economy has not yet been fully appreciated, it will be! Things are really Rockin’. Stopping WARS and Foreign Relations seems to be a strong suit. Also great, The Border and Stopping Crime. I predict that the Economy, with the already HIGHEST STOCK MARKET, EVER, and prices coming sharply down from the Biden disaster, will soon be at the top of the list. MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN!"

What Happens Next

Trump's persistently low approval ratings could present challenges for Republicans as they prepare for the 2026 midterm elections. A drop in support among independents and core demographics could also affect party strategies, particularly in swing districts.

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