President Donald Trump’s net approval rating has slipped to its lowest level of his second term, according to a daily presidential tracking survey released Wednesday by Rasmussen Reports.
Why It Matters
A new round of national polling in late 2025 shows Trump’s standing with voters weakening as his administration navigates stubborn economic worries, controversy over the release of the Jeffrey Epstein files and an increasingly volatile political environment ahead of the 2026 midterm elections.
Presidential approval ratings are a key barometer of public mood. They can shape party strategy, influence how aggressively the White House pursues its agenda and affect how candidates from the president’s party fare in upcoming races.
What To Know
Rasmussen Reports currently puts Trump’s approval rating at 44 percent and his disapproval at 55 percent, for a net approval of -11 points. The findings come from a survey of 1,500 likely voters, with a reported margin of error of 2.5 percentage points. Rasmussen’s daily tracking poll interviews 300 likely voters each evening and publishes a five-day rolling average.
Trump’s net approval with the pollster was -9 points on Tuesday and -7 points on Monday. The previous low point of his second term came on November 14, when he registered 44 percent approval and 54 percent disapproval, for a net -10 points.
What People Are Saying
Columbia University professor Robert Y. Shapiro told 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, for his part, struck a very different tone 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
If Trump’s approval numbers remain depressed, Republicans could face headwinds heading into the 2026 midterm elections. Any erosion of support among independents and key voter blocs will likely force GOP strategists to recalibrate their messaging and resource allocation, especially in closely contested swing districts.
