Trump's approval rating hits record low
Trump's overall approval rating hit record lows in June 2026, with just 36% approval and 33% on the economy—both the lowest of his second term—amid persistent inflation and economic anxiety.
Objective Facts
Trump's approval ratings continue to fall to record lows, particularly over his handling of the economy, with just 36% overall approval and 59% disapproving—the widest gap in either of his terms, according to the latest NPR/PBS News/Marist poll. Only 33% of Americans approve of Trump's handling of the economy, marking his lowest-ever approval rating on an issue long considered one of his strengths, with 60% disapproving. Lee Miringoff, director of the Marist Institute for Public Opinion, noted that Americans are connecting affordability challenges with Trump's presidency, saying "it's Donald Trump, and that's where the slippage comes in. He can't get away with high prices at the pump and at the supermarket and not get tarnished by that." In this midterm election year, 22% of Republicans disapprove of Trump's handling of the economy, and the share of Republicans who strongly approve dropped to 53% in June from 61% in April.
Left-Leaning Perspective
CNN's David Chalian said "It is really hard to find even a sliver of good news for President Trump in this poll," characterizing Trump's approval as hitting a "perilous point." Chalian noted the economy is "largely" behind Trump's decline and that "the country thinks that he is focused on the wrong priorities," adding "He is underwater on every single issue tested, and there is no real strong suit." A CNN poll found 77% of Americans—including a majority of Republicans—say Trump's policies have increased the cost of living in their communities, with roughly two-thirds saying his policies have worsened economic conditions nationally. The shift in which Democrats are now more trusted than Republicans on the economy marks a historic reversal from 2010, reflecting what analyst labeled Trump's "perceived lack of focus on kitchen table issues."
Right-Leaning Perspective
The White House dismissed polling significance, with spokesman Davis Ingle repeatedly pointing to Trump's November 2024 victory as the definitive measure of support and framing that result as the overriding verdict on the administration's agenda, with the statement that the administration remains focused on economic priorities such as jobs, inflation, and housing affordability. Republican pollster Micah Roberts downplayed concerns, saying a 5-point approval drop amid war, inflation, and surging gas prices is "not that big a move" and that Trump is "keeping 60% of the Republican Party very, very fired up and very much on his side." Remaining Trump supporters, like retired law enforcement officer Greg Votel, argued Congress is fighting Trump "tooth and nail" and that change "doesn't happen overnight" and "will take at least two administrations."
Deep Dive
Trump entered his second term with a 47% approval rating—a robust but historically low inauguration bump. His approval declined steadily through 2025, fell to 41% in March 2026, briefly recovered to 43% in April, then dropped sharply to 38.1% in May 2026—the lowest approval of either Trump term, reflecting accelerating tariff-driven inflation and Q1 GDP coming in at +2.0% but PCE inflation hitting 4.5%—raising stagflation concerns. The June polling shows the economy as the central weakness. In the YouGov and Ipsos polls, Trump's economic standing dropped from net-positive territory early in his second term to deeply negative ratings, representing declines of more than 30 points, and in the CNN poll, Trump's rating is at its lowest point. Left-leaning analysts and outlets have seized on these numbers as evidence of categorical failure. CNN's David Chalian argued the economy is "largely" behind Trump's decline and that he is "underwater on every single issue tested, and there is no real strong suit." Marist pollster Lee Miringoff called this "a major problem for him," explaining "When affordability is so front and center in people's minds, that's going to be laid at the doorstep of a chief executive." However, the right correctly notes that Trump's base remains remarkably stable at 87% approval—below his first-term floor but not in freefall. The White House dismissal of polling as irrelevant contains a partial truth: polling averages can swing, and Trump did win with 80 million votes. But the breadth of decline—cutting across independents, Latinos, young voters, and now even some non-MAGA Republicans—suggests this is not merely noise. The tariff-driven inflation and stagflation pattern last seen in the 1970s is creating real household pain, not perception. The political question is whether Republicans can insulate enough congressional seats through gerrymandering to prevent the historical correlation between 34% independent approval and House losses.