President Donald Trump’s approval rating has dipped into negative territory in two Republican-leaning states—Iowa and Ohio—according to new polling from Morning Consult.
The survey finds Trump at a net -1 in both states, with 48% approving and 49% disapproving. Morning Consult, which tracks approval trends weekly, said Trump previously held a net-positive rating in each of these states.
Why It Matters
Trump has carried both Iowa and Ohio in every election he has contested. In the 2024 presidential election, he won Iowa with 56% of the vote and Ohio with 55.2%.
If his standing continues to weaken, Republicans could face added pressure in defending their narrow House majority as campaigning intensifies ahead of the November 2026 midterm elections.
What To Know
Morning Consult’s broader state-by-state analysis shows Trump with a net-positive approval rating in 22 states—a slight improvement compared with a similar point in his first term, when he was net-positive in 21 states.
The findings arrive alongside other polls showing growing skepticism about the president’s performance, particularly on the economy. A Fox News survey last month reported that 76% of voters view the economy negatively—worse than late-stage polling during Joe Biden’s presidency, when 70% expressed a negative view.
National numbers have also shown strain. A recent Economist/YouGov poll put Trump’s approval at 39%, with 58% disapproving, for a net rating of -19—its lowest level since he returned to office in January.
Meanwhile, I&I/TIPP polling from December showed Trump at 44% approval and 47% disapproval, a net rating of -3. While still negative, that marked an improvement from the prior month, when he stood at 41% approval and 49% disapproval (net -8).
Morning Consult found Trump’s strongest state to be Wyoming (66% approve) and his weakest to be Vermont (66% disapprove).
What People Are Saying
Trump wrote on Truth Social in November: “So many Fake Polls are being shown by the Radical Left Media, all slanted heavily toward Democrats and Far Left Wingers. … Fake News will never change, they are evil and corrupt but, as I look around my beautiful surroundings, I say to myself, ‘Oh, look, I’m sitting in the Oval Office!’”
What Happens Next
Trump’s approval numbers are likely to continue shifting as his term progresses, especially as major policy fights and campaign season ramp up. The next major electoral test for both parties is the November 2026 midterm election.
