Key Takeaways:
- President Donald Trump’s approval rating is currently underwater, with 44.1% approving and 52.7% disapproving, according to RealClearPolitics.
- Trump’s approval rating has been net negative since March 2025, with a term low of 42.3% on November 14, 2025.
- Americans are split on the US military action in Venezuela, with 48% approving and 52% disapproving, according to a CBS News/YouGov poll.
- 49% of Americans believe Trump is trying to cover up Jeffrey Epstein’s crimes, compared to 30% who say he isn’t, according to an Economist/YouGov poll.
- Trump’s approval rating is lower than any other modern president at the same time in their administration, according to a historical analysis by Gallup.
Introduction to Trump’s Approval Rating
President Donald Trump is facing a challenging start to 2026, with his approval rating underwater and controversy surrounding his administration’s actions. As he looks ahead to the midterm elections, Trump told House Republicans that they need to keep the majority to avoid a third impeachment. However, polls consistently show that Trump’s approval rating is net negative, which could hurt his party’s chances in the voting booths. Trump’s approval rating has been a topic of discussion, with various polls showing different numbers, but all indicating that he is struggling to gain the support of the American people.
Trump’s Approval Rating in Recent Months
Averages based on RealClearPolitics and New York Times aggregators show that Trump’s approval rating is net negative, but appears to have rebounded slightly and begun stabilizing after a sharp drop in November. As of January 9, 2026, RealClearPolitics found 44.1% approve and 52.7% disapprove, while the New York Times aggregator showed 43% approve and 55% disapprove. The Economist/YouGov poll conducted January 2-5 found 39% approved compared to 56% who disapproved of Trump’s job performance. These numbers indicate that Trump’s approval rating has been consistently low, with a term low of 42.3% on November 14, 2025.
The Venezuela Controversy
The US military action in Venezuela has been a contentious issue, with Americans split on the matter. A CBS News/YouGov poll conducted January 5-7 found 48% approve of the US military action in Venezuela, while 52% disapprove. The poll also found that people’s opinions on the matter are connected to their beliefs about the reasons behind the US intervention. Those who think the effort is mainly about stopping drugs tend to be more approving of the intervention, while those who believe it is about accessing Venezuela’s oil and expanding US power in the region tend to disapprove.
The Jeffrey Epstein Controversy
The Jeffrey Epstein controversy has also been a major issue for Trump’s administration, with 49% of Americans saying Trump is trying to cover up Epstein’s crimes, compared to 30% who say he isn’t, according to an Economist/YouGov poll. The poll found that overall, just 25% of Americans approve of how Trump is handling the Epstein investigation, compared to 56% who disapprove. This controversy has been ongoing, with the Department of Justice saying it had a long way to go to release all of the files that were due to be published on December 19.
Comparison to Past Presidents
A historical analysis by Gallup shows that Trump’s approval ratings in December of his first years in office are lower than any other modern president at the same time in their administrations. Trump’s December approval rating of 36% is lower than any other president, including Joe Biden, who had a 43% approval rating in December 2021. This indicates that Trump’s approval rating is not only low but also historically low compared to other presidents.
Conclusion
In conclusion, President Donald Trump’s approval rating is currently underwater, with 44.1% approving and 52.7% disapproving. The controversy surrounding the US military action in Venezuela and the Jeffrey Epstein controversy have contributed to Trump’s low approval rating. Historically, Trump’s approval rating is lower than any other modern president at the same time in their administration. As the midterm elections approach, Trump’s low approval rating could hurt his party’s chances in the voting booths. It remains to be seen how Trump’s administration will address these controversies and improve his approval rating in the coming months.
