President Donald Trump’s job approval has fallen to its lowest point of his second term, according to a new poll released Tuesday by The Economist and YouGov.
Why It Matters
Trump’s declining approval rating underscores persistent public unease over the economy, the administration’s performance, and the ongoing controversy surrounding the release of the Jeffrey Epstein files.
Presidential approval ratings are often viewed as a snapshot of national sentiment, signaling how Americans judge the White House’s handling of economic pressures and political scandals ahead of the 2026 midterm elections.
What To Know
The Economist/YouGov survey finds that 38 percent of Americans approve of the job Trump is doing as president, while 57 percent disapprove.
The poll, conducted from November 21 to November 24, surveyed 1,677 U.S. adults and carries a margin of error of 3.4 percentage points.
In an email to Newsweek about the results, YouGov’s Allen Houston highlighted the historic nature of the slide: “Donald Trump has hit a new low in job approval for his second term, with women and older Americans hitting new record levels of disapproval in the November 21 – 24, 2025 Economist / YouGov Poll.”
Houston continued, “The 38% who approve of Trump is the smallest share of Americans to do so at any point in Trump’s second term.”
The survey also measured public views on Trump’s handling of the investigation into late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. Twenty-eight percent say they approve of his handling of the matter, 55 percent disapprove, and 18 percent express no opinion.
What People Are Saying
CNN Chief Data Analyst Harry Enten wrote on X earlier this month: “Nobody is buying what Trump is selling on Epstein. His net approval on it is an absolutely dreadful -39 pts… Far worse than any other major issue. It isn’t improving over time. Even among the GOP, just 45% (!) approve of the job the Trump admin is doing on the Epstein case.”
CBS News Poll wrote on X earlier this week: “Pres. Trump’s overall approval rating has been declining incrementally over recent months and now 40% of Americans approve of the job he is doing as president – a low point for his second term in our poll.”
What Happens Next
Deep economic discontent and growing disapproval among key voting blocs—especially women and older Americans—could shape campaign strategies for both parties heading into the 2026 midterms. If Trump’s approval remains at or near these lows, Republican candidates in competitive districts may face added pressure.
On Capitol Hill, bipartisan efforts around transparency related to the Epstein files are likely to continue, particularly after the House overwhelmingly passed the Epstein Files Transparency Act and Trump signed it into law.
