Key Takeaways
- The most recent Economist/YouGov poll shows a historic 61% of Americans disapproving of President Trump’s performance.
- Trump’s net job approval has fallen to ‑26, the lowest point recorded in any week of his two terms.
- Independents have also reached a record 71% disapproval, underscoring broader erosion of support.
- Economic sentiment is pessimistic: 63% say the economy is worsening, while only 13% believe it is improving.
Record Disapproval Rating
The latest Economist/YouGov poll, released on June 2, found that 61 % of respondents disapprove of how President Donald Trump handled his job as president. This figure represents a new high for the series, eclipsing previous peaks observed during both of Trump’s terms. When the data are converted into a net approval score, Trump registers ‑26, the most negative result ever captured in the poll’s history. Such a score signals that unfavorable views now consistently outweigh any remaining positive assessments among the surveyed adult population.
Historical Context and Trends
This unprecedented disapproval rate is not an isolated spike but part of a longer‑term downward trajectory. For roughly a year, Trump’s approval rating has hovered below the neutral mark, and recent weeks have seen it become increasingly negative. Analysis of weekly polling data shows a steady erosion of support, with each successive measurement registering a worse net score than the one before. Consequently, the current ‑26 figure marks both an absolute low and a symbolic milestone in the public’s perception of Trump’s overall performance.
Independent Voter Shift
The poll also reveals a striking shift among Independent voters, traditionally a swing demographic. Now, 71 % of Independents report disapproval of Trump’s time in office, a record high that mirrors the broader sentiment among the general electorate. This surge suggests that the decline in Trump’s standing is not confined to partisan strongholds but is instead permeating the center of the political spectrum, potentially reshaping future electoral calculations. Polling Methodology and Margin of Error
The findings are based on a nationwide survey of 1,604 adults conducted between May 29 and June 1, 2026. YouGov calculated a margin of error of ±3.5 percentage points, providing a statistical buffer that accounts for sampling variability. These sample parameters ensure that the reported percentages are reliable within the specified range, allowing analysts to interpret the results with confidence.
Economic Perception Among the Public
Beyond personal approval, the poll explored public attitudes toward the nation’s economic direction. A majority—63 % of respondents—believe the economy is getting worse, while only 13 % think it is improving. This pessimism aligns with the broader negative sentiment toward Trump’s administration and may amplify the impact of economic concerns on his political standing.
Recent Comparative Polls
In the week preceding the June 2 release, Trump’s disapproval rating stood at 59 %, according to a poll fielded from May 22 to May 26. The six‑point increase to the current 61 % reflects a notable upward shift in unfavorable views within just eight days. This rapid change underscores the volatility of public opinion and the sensitivity of approval metrics to short‑term events.
Political Activities and Public Appearances
During the same period, Trump participated in several high‑visibility actions that were captured in media coverage. On May 27, he convened a Cabinet meeting in the White House, where he was photographed alongside a suite of administration officials, including Secretaries of the Interior, State, Commerce, and other key positions. Earlier, on May 22, he delivered a campaign‑style address at the Eugene Levy Fieldhouse of SUNY Rockland Community College in Suffern, New York, where he was reported to have danced on stage after speaking—a visual that underscored his continued use of theatrical gestures to engage supporters. Implications and Outlook
The convergence of record‑high disapproval rates, deepening pessimism about the economy, and growing dissatisfaction among Independent voters suggests that Trump’s political capital is under significant strain. Analysts anticipate that these trends could influence not only his personal approval metrics but also the broader Republican Party’s electoral prospects in upcoming contests. While the data reflect a moment in time, the persistent downward trajectory raises questions about the durability of any potential rebound, especially if economic conditions or public sentiment fail to shift favorably.
Reporter Details
The coverage of these findings was compiled by Fernando Cervantes Jr., a trending news reporter for USA TODAY. He can be reached at [email protected] and follows on the social platform X under the handle @ferncerv. The original article appeared on USA TODAY under the headline “What is Trump’s approval rating? See the latest poll.”