Key Takeaways
- President Donald Trump’s approval ratings are near term lows one year into his second term, with 58% of Americans considering his first year back in office a failure.
- Trump’s average approval rating has been net negative since the spring, with 42.6% approving and 54.7% disapproving as of January 23.
- The President’s approval ratings are lower than any other modern president at the same time in their administration, with 36% approving in December of his first year in office.
- Trump’s approval rating has been affected by unpopular ideas, such as annexing Greenland, and a lack of focus on affordability.
- The President’s approval ratings have been relatively stable, but have dropped suddenly at times, including during the government shutdown and controversy over sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
Introduction to Trump’s Approval Ratings
President Donald Trump’s approval ratings are near term lows one year into his second term, with many voters considering his first year back in office a failure. As he approached his inauguration anniversary, Trump was pushing an unpopular idea to annex Greenland, a self-governing territory of NATO member Denmark. Several polls conducted across multiple weeks showed that many voters wanted Trump to focus on affordability, rather than pursuing controversial foreign policy initiatives. Trump eventually backed off from threats to annex Greenland, but the damage to his approval ratings may have already been done.
Trump’s Approval Rating Trends
Trump’s average approval rating, calculated by aggregators such as the New York Times and RealClearPolitics, has been net negative since the spring. From April to November, it stayed relatively stable, until dropping suddenly, rebounding slightly in December, and dropping again. As of January 23, RealClearPolitics shows 42.6% approve of Trump’s job performance, while 54.7% disapprove. The lowest term approval came on January 16 at 42.2%, with the worst net approval rating, the difference between those who approve and those who disapprove, coming days later on January 20 at -13.2 percentage points. The New York Times aggregator shows 41% approve of Trump’s job performance as of January 23, which is the lowest of this term.
Comparison to Past Presidents
A historical analysis by Gallup shows that Trump’s approval ratings in December of his first years in office, both as the 45th and 47th presidents, are lower than any other modern president at the same time in their administration. For example, in December 2025, Trump’s approval rating was 36%, compared to 43% for Joe Biden in December 2021, 36% for Trump in December 2017, 50% for Barack Obama in December 2009, and 86% for George W. Bush in December 2001. This suggests that Trump’s approval ratings are not only low, but also historically low compared to other presidents at the same point in their terms.
Factors Affecting Trump’s Approval Rating
Trump’s approval rating has been affected by a number of factors, including unpopular ideas, such as annexing Greenland, and a lack of focus on affordability. Many voters have expressed frustration with the President’s priorities, which they see as out of touch with the needs and concerns of ordinary Americans. The controversy over sex offender Jeffrey Epstein and the government shutdown have also taken a toll on Trump’s approval ratings, with many voters viewing these issues as examples of the President’s inability to effectively govern. As Trump looks to the future, he will need to address these concerns and find ways to improve his approval ratings, or risk facing significant challenges in his second term.
Conclusion
In conclusion, President Donald Trump’s approval ratings are near term lows one year into his second term, with many voters considering his first year back in office a failure. Trump’s average approval rating has been net negative since the spring, and his approval ratings are lower than any other modern president at the same time in their administration. The President’s approval rating has been affected by unpopular ideas and a lack of focus on affordability, and he will need to address these concerns in order to improve his ratings. As the President looks to the future, he will need to find ways to reconnect with voters and demonstrate his ability to effectively govern, or risk facing significant challenges in his second term.
