Special Poll
Donald Trump’s approval rating has dropped across multiple polls, indicating growing dissatisfaction with his leadership. This decline could impact his administration, the Republican Party, and the 2026 midterm elections. A weaker approval rating may limit his influence in Congress, making it harder to pass policies and maintain party unity. It could also encourage challengers within the GOP and energize Democrats ahead of future elections. If the trend continues, Trump may need to adjust his strategy to regain public confidence.
A Quantus Insights poll conducted between February 24 and 26 among 1,000 registered voters found Trump’s approval rating at 51 percent, with 45 percent disapproving, giving him a net positive of six points. This is a drop from an earlier poll conducted February 10-12, which showed 53 percent approval and 44 percent disapproval, with a net positive of nine points. The margin of error for both polls was ±3.5 percentage points.
A The Economist/YouGov poll conducted February 16-18 among 1,603 U.S. adults recorded 50 percent approval and 45 percent disapproval. Another Economist/YouGov poll from February 23-25 showed Trump’s approval at 48 percent, though his disapproval remained steady at 45 percent. Both polls had a ±3 percentage point margin of error.
Additionally, RMG Research’s poll conducted between February 18 and 21 among 3,000 registered voters placed Trump’s approval at 53 percent, with 44 percent disapproving. This marks a decline from their February 10-14 poll, where Trump had 55 percent approval and 43 percent disapproval. The margin of error for these polls was ±1.8 percentage points.
Earlier in his second term, Trump’s approval ratings were at their highest. However, recent polls suggest his declining popularity may be linked to pessimism about the economy. In the latest Economist/YouGov poll, Trump’s approval on the economy dropped by one point to 45 percent. A Reuters/Ipsos poll conducted between February 12-18 found that 53 percent of Americans believe the economy is on the wrong track, up from 43 percent in their January 24-26 survey.
This presents a challenge for Trump, who previously promised inflation would “vanish completely” under his leadership. However, a Labor Department report showed that consumer prices in January saw the largest increase in nearly 18 months. Following Trump’s announcement of tariffs on goods from Canada, Mexico, and China, economists predict rising inflation. Goldman Sachs estimates these tariffs could increase inflation by 1 percent, squeeze U.S. company profits, and trigger retaliatory trade measures from other countries.
Despite these concerns, polls show strong support for Trump’s immigration policies. The latest Quantus poll found that 58 percent approve of his immigration agenda, while 40 percent disapprove. Trump’s popularity remains exceptionally high among Republicans, with 92 percent approval of his job performance and 95 percent support for his immigration policies.
The latest Quantus poll also highlights deep national divisions. Fifty percent of Americans believe the country is on the right track, while almost as many believe it is headed in the wrong direction. Among Republicans, 95 percent think the U.S. is on the right path, compared to just 7 percent of Democrats. Independent voters remain divided, with 43 percent believing the country is on the right track and 48 percent saying it is on the wrong track.
Trump’s declining approval ratings reflect growing economic concerns, but his base remains strong, particularly on issues like immigration. How these numbers shift in the coming months could shape the political landscape leading up to the 2026 midterms.