President Donald Trump’s approval rating has fallen to its lowest point of his second term, according to several national polls conducted in early January 2026.
White House spokeswoman Anna Kelly disputed the polling in comments to Newsweek, saying Trump “has firmly cemented his legacy as the Peace President – having ended eight wars and counting and saving millions of lives.” She added that he is “delivering on his promises,” and that Americans remain aligned with his agenda “regardless of the Mainstream Media’s so-called polling.”
Why It Matters
The numbers signal mounting political pressure for the administration as voters weigh issues such as the economy, health care, and immigration. The trend could also shape Republican strategy heading into the 2026 midterm elections and influence how easily the White House can move its priorities through Congress.
What To Know
Multiple surveys released in January show Trump underwater nationally, with net approval ratings ranging from the mid-teens to nearly 20 points negative.
Marist Poll (Jan. 12–13, 2026):
A Marist Poll of 1,408 adults found 38 percent approve of Trump’s job performance while 56 percent disapprove, for a net approval of -18. Another 6 percent said they were unsure. The margin of error was ±3.3 percentage points.
In the same polling series, Trump’s lowest net approval during his first term came shortly before he left office in January 2021, when it stood at -20.
Economist/YouGov (Jan. 9–12, 2026):
An Economist/YouGov poll of 1,602 U.S. adults found 40 percent approving and 54 percent disapproving, with 6 percent undecided—net approval -14. The margin of error was ±3.3 percentage points.
That survey also showed weakness among working-class respondents: 36 percent approve, 54 percent disapprove, for a net of -18.
AP-NORC (Jan. 8–11, 2026):
An AP-NORC poll of 1,203 adults found 40 percent approve and 59 percent disapprove of Trump’s handling of the job, yielding net approval -19. The sample was drawn from NORC’s probability-based AmeriSpeak Panel designed to reflect the U.S. population. The margin of sampling error was ±3.9 percentage points.
What People Are Saying
White House spokeswoman Anna Kelly told Newsweek:
“President Trump took office with a resounding mandate from the nearly 80 million Americans who voted for him to secure our border, end Joe Biden’s inflation crisis, remove criminal illegal aliens from our streets, and restore American Greatness both at home and abroad.
“He has firmly cemented his legacy as the Peace President – having ended eight wars and counting and saving millions of lives. He is delivering on his promises, and the American people remain firmly aligned with the President’s agenda to Make America Great Again, regardless of the Mainstream Media’s so-called polling.”
Bruce Stokes, Associate Fellow, U.S. and North America Programme at Chatham House, wrote:
“As U.S. President Donald Trump enters the second year of his second term, polls suggest his domestic popularity is in decline. Various surveys of U.S. public opinion have found that the public disapproves of his handling of key domestic challenges and some of his flagship policies lack support.”
CNN Political Director David Chalian said:
“It’s worth noting that just compared to less than a year ago, he was at his best political ratings of his career, and that has just gone away, and it is largely due to the economy and the country thinks that he is focused on the wrong priorities.”
What Happens Next
With the 2026 midterms approaching, sustained erosion—especially among independents and working-class voters—could complicate Republican efforts to defend congressional majorities and advance legislation.
“For now, all signs are that President Trump’s support is waning. Time will tell if that remains the case,” Stokes wrote at the start of this year.
