Trump Approval Rating Gets Rare Boost in One Poll While Another Shows Record Low
President Donald Trump’s approval rating has produced two very different signals in recent polling, with one survey showing a rare increase while another found his support stuck at the lowest level of his political career.
The conflicting results highlight the difficulty of reading Trump’s current political standing as Republicans prepare for the November 2026 midterm elections.
A new poll released Thursday showed Trump’s approval rating rising by two points. The increase stands out because most recent surveys have shown his numbers declining or remaining near historic lows.
However, the improvement has not been reflected across the broader polling landscape.
Trump Approval Remains at 33%
A Reuters/Ipsos poll conducted in late August found that only 33% of Americans approved of Trump’s job performance.
That figure remained unchanged from the previous Reuters/Ipsos survey and represented the third consecutive poll in which Trump’s approval stood at 33%.
The result places Trump at the lowest approval level recorded in his political career by the Reuters/Ipsos series. About 64% of respondents said they disapproved of his performance.
The numbers are particularly significant because the midterm elections are approaching.
Republicans currently hold narrow majorities in Congress, and Trump’s popularity could influence how voters approach competitive House and Senate races.
One Poll Shows a Small Rebound
The latest poll showing a two-point improvement offers Trump a rare piece of positive news.
Still, the increase should be viewed carefully.
A single survey can differ from other polls because of its sample, timing, methodology and the questions asked. Polling averages are generally more useful for understanding the broader direction of public opinion than one isolated result.
That is especially true when several recent surveys have produced weak numbers for the president.
Another recent poll found Trump with an approval rating of 32%, while other surveys have also placed his numbers in the low 30s.
Economic Concerns Continue to Hurt Trump
The economy remains one of the biggest challenges for the Trump administration.
The Reuters/Ipsos poll found widespread dissatisfaction with the government’s handling of living costs. Seventy-one percent of Americans said they disapproved of Trump’s handling of the cost of living.
That concern extended beyond Democrats.
About 40% of Republicans also said they disapproved of Trump’s handling of living costs, showing that economic pressure is affecting some members of his own political base.
Inflation, gasoline prices and broader affordability concerns have become increasingly important political issues.
For many voters, those issues are more immediate than debates over individual policies.
Iran War Adds to Political Pressure
Trump’s approval rating has also been affected by the ongoing conflict with Iran.
The Reuters/Ipsos poll found that only 36% of Americans supported Trump’s handling of the war, while opposition remained widespread.
The conflict has also contributed to higher energy prices and increased concerns about the economic consequences of prolonged military involvement.
Another recent Reuters report said only 31% of Americans approved of the war, suggesting that the conflict has become a significant political liability for the administration.
Trump’s administration has sought to limit further escalation, but renewed fighting and uncertainty in the region continue to dominate political discussion.
Democrats Show Greater Midterm Enthusiasm
The polling also contains a warning for Republicans ahead of November.
The Reuters/Ipsos survey found that Democrats were more enthusiastic about voting in the midterm elections.
Forty-six percent of self-identified Democrats said they were strongly enthusiastic about voting, compared with 31% of Republicans.
Among independents, 36% said they would support Democratic candidates, compared with 22% who favored Republicans.
That enthusiasm gap could become important in closely contested congressional districts.
Midterm elections traditionally create difficulties for the party controlling the White House. Low presidential approval can make those challenges even greater.
Trump Still Has Strong Support From His Base
Despite the weak national numbers, Trump continues to maintain substantial support among Republicans.
However, even that support has shown signs of erosion.
A recent University of Massachusetts Amherst survey found that the percentage of Trump voters who said they were very confident in their decision to support him had fallen from 74% in April 2025 to 58%.
The same survey found Trump’s approval among Republicans had declined from 89% in April 2025 to 75%.
Those figures do not suggest that Trump has lost his Republican base. They do, however, indicate growing uncertainty among some voters who previously supported him.
What the Polls Mean for the Midterms
The conflicting surveys show why Trump’s political position cannot be judged by one poll alone.
The two-point increase provides the president with a rare positive development, but the broader polling picture remains difficult.
Trump’s overall approval is still hovering around the low 30s in several major surveys. Economic concerns remain high, dissatisfaction with the Iran conflict is widespread and Democrats appear more energized about the midterms.
Trump has promised to campaign aggressively for Republican candidates in competitive races.
The president recently told congressional Republicans that he plans to campaign in dozens of key races before November’s elections.
Whether the latest polling improvement develops into a broader recovery remains uncertain.
For now, the most striking feature of Trump’s approval rating is the sharp contrast between one encouraging poll and a larger group of surveys showing continued political weakness.
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