Special Poll
President Donald Trump’s approval rating has dipped to match its lowest level of his second term, according to a new Ipsos and Reuters poll conducted between May 16 and May 18 among 1,024 U.S. adults. The poll shows Trump holding at 42 percent approval the same level recorded on April 21 and April 27 marking a decline from 44 percent in the previous week. The survey carries a margin of error of 3 percent.
Throughout his political career, Trump has frequently pointed to favorable polling numbers as a measure of success, often referencing them at rallies and in public remarks. After returning to the White House in January, he initially enjoyed positive momentum, but his ratings took a noticeable hit following his sweeping tariff announcements. Though he later eased the impact by implementing a 90-day pause for most of the tariffs, the backlash appears to have contributed to the erosion in public support.
The current numbers highlight growing voter unease over economic issues. Trump earned just 39 percent approval on the economy, with 53 percent disapproving. On job performance and employment-related issues, the split is similarly negative 41 percent approval versus 49 percent disapproval.
However, a separate poll conducted by InsiderAdvantage from May 17 to May 19 among 1,000 likely voters paints a more favorable picture for the president, showing a net approval rating of 11 points. That survey found 55 percent of respondents approving of Trump’s job performance, compared to 44 percent disapproving. The uptick coincides with Trump’s high-profile trip to the Middle East, which appears to have bolstered his standing among certain segments of the electorate. In early May, the same poll showed Trump with only a 2-point net approval margin, signaling a potential rebound.
Despite this improvement in select polling, the broader trend of slipping approval especially on key economic indicators could complicate Trump’s influence heading into the 2026 midterms, where Republican hopes for expansion hinge in part on his continued popularity.