Key Takeaways
- Donald Trump’s net job approval rating is negative in 47 of 50 states plus Washington, D.C.
- Only Wyoming, Idaho, and West Virginia still show a majority approving of the president.
- The District of Columbia records the most extreme disapproval at –83 points.
- Recent national polls reveal the lowest approval numbers of Trump’s tenure, with just one‑third of Americans supporting his performance.
- A strong majority of Americans expect prolonged U.S. involvement in Iran, heightening concerns about foreign policy stability.
National Approval Landscape and Geographic Variation
The latest YouGov/Economist projection indicates that President Donald Trump’s net job approval is negative across nearly the entire country, with disapproval outpacing approval in 47 states and the District of Columbia. Only three states—Wyoming, Idaho, and West Virginia—maintain a positive net rating, each showing modest approval leads of +14, +9, and +6 points respectively. This pattern reflects a stark partisan and regional divide, as the three states that still approve of Trump are also the only states where a majority of respondents endorse his performance.
Wyoming, Idaho, and West Virginia: The Last Strongholds
Wyoming, Idaho, and West Virginia not only top the list of states where Trump retains approval but also share a consistent voting history that favors Republican candidates. All three states voted for Trump in the 2016, 2020, and 2024 presidential elections, underscoring a deep-rooted political alignment. The relatively modest approval margins (+14, +9, +6) suggest that even in these strongholds, a portion of the electorate remains unsettled, hinting at possible cracks in the traditional Republican base.
District of Columbia’s Extreme Disapproval
The nation’s capital exhibits the most severe negative sentiment toward the president, posting a net approval rating of –83 points. Such a figure indicates that disapproval far outweighs approval by a large margin, likely driven by the District’s heavily Democratic electorate and the perception of Trump’s policies as antagonistic to urban interests. The District’s rating serves as a benchmark for the intensity of opposition in heavily partisan areas, emphasizing the polarized nature of contemporary American politics.
States with the Most Negative Net Approval
Maryland and Vermont follow the District of Columbia as the states with the next most negative net approval figures, each at –50 points. Both states are historically Democratic strongholds that supported Vice President Kamala Harris in the 2024 election. Their pronounced disapproval underscores a broader trend where traditionally blue states continue to voice strong reservations about Trump’s job performance, reinforcing the notion of entrenched partisan divergence.
Recent Polling Trends Show Record Lows
A Reuters/Ipsos poll released on August 17 recorded the lowest approval rating of Trump’s tenure since his return to office in 2025, with only one‑third of Americans indicating they approve of his work. This figure represents a historic nadir in modern polling, suggesting that even among his core supporters, there is growing fatigue or disillusionment. The trend aligns with a series of nationwide surveys that have consistently placed Trump’s approval in negative territory, marking a significant shift from earlier periods of his political career.
Public Concern Over Iran Conflict
The same Reuters/Ipsos poll also gauged public sentiment regarding U.S. involvement in Iran, revealing that 80% of respondents believe the conflict will persist for an “extended period of time.” Among partisan affiliations, 87% of Democrats and 71% of Republicans share this outlook, reflecting a rare convergence of concern across the political spectrum. This widespread anxiety about prolonged engagement in Iran adds a layer of urgency to the administration’s foreign policy narrative and may further erode confidence in the president’s leadership.
Overall Polling Averages Remain Negative
Aggregated polling averages compiled by major survey organizations continue to portray Trump in a broadly negative light. While individual polls may fluctuate due to sampling variance, the composite data from multiple reputable sources confirms a sustained downward trajectory in approval metrics. USA TODAY’s own contribution to the reporting underscores that these averages are not isolated anomalies but part of a consistent pattern that has persisted throughout 2026, suggesting that Trump’s political brand is encountering significant headwinds.
Implications and Outlook
The confluence of stark disapproval ratings, narrow approval pockets, and heightened public concern over foreign policy issues creates a complex landscape for the administration’s future strategy. As negative net approval becomes the norm in most states, the president may face increasing pressure from both party allies and opponents to recalibrate his approach, especially on issues that resonate with broader voter anxieties such as international conflict and economic stability. Observers will likely monitor forthcoming polls and policy announcements closely, as these will determine whether the current downward trajectory can be halted or will continue to shape the political narrative leading up to the next election cycle.