President Donald Trump’s approval rating appears to have climbed noticeably among urban voters, according to recent polling.
Why It Matters
The shift comes as Trump’s political standing continues to move with reactions to major economic and immigration decisions, including tariffs that have drawn controversy and stricter immigration enforcement.
With affordability and economic anxiety still dominating voters’ concerns, a change in sentiment inside major cities could matter for national politics and the next round of elections.
What To Know
Polling from Quantus Insights suggests Trump has gained ground with city voters over the last month.
In November 2025, Quantus’s urban sample showed Trump with 37 percent approval and 60 percent disapproval, a net approval of -23 points. In December 2025, his approval among urban voters rose to 43 percent, while disapproval dropped to 53 percent, narrowing his net approval to -10 points.
Quantus said its survey used a sample of 1,000 registered voters with a ±3.3 percentage point margin of error. Within the urban subgroup, that translated into an approval increase of more than six points and a seven-point decline in disapproval in roughly one month.
The poll also points to a meaningful change inside the intensity of opinion. While urban respondents were still more likely than suburban or rural voters to strongly disapprove of Trump, the share who “strongly disapprove” fell to 42 percent in December, down from 51 percent in November—a nine-point drop. Strong disapproval remained the single largest category among urban voters in both months, but strong approval also continued to register, underscoring how polarized the electorate remains.
What’s Driving Voters’ Mood
Quantus’s findings suggest economic pressure and immigration policy continue to shape how voters are evaluating the administration.
Cost of living—including groceries, housing, and gas—was cited as the top issue by 36 percent of Americans. Broader economic concerns followed at 17 percent, and corruption at 14 percent.
Trump’s posture on tariffs and stepped-up immigration enforcement in cities has been criticized by opponents, but the latest urban numbers suggest those same policies may be improving his standing in places that have often leaned against him.
What People Are Saying
Kristen Soltis Anderson, a Republican pollster, wrote in The New York Times: “What’s crucial to understand about Trump’s poor approval numbers is that, unlike during his last time in the White House, people now disapprove of him because of the economy, not in spite of it. During his first term, concerns about him centered more on his style and approach, and his approval was lowest on issues like response to Covid-19.
“However, his job approval on the economy was typically a bright spot in his polling, and in my view, it was that brand attribute—a belief that, for all the baggage, Mr. Trump might be worth having as president again if he could just fix the economy—that ushered him back to power.”
What Happens Next
Trump’s approval—especially among urban voters—could continue to swing as several debates intensify, including tariff policy, city-level immigration enforcement, and the broader national argument over inflation and affordability.
