Trump Approval Rating Today – Second-Term Lows Amid War

President Donald Trump’s approval rating stands at a second-term low, with major pollsters placing approval between 36% and 47% as of early April 2026. The latest averages show disapproval outpacing approval by margins of 13 to 16.7 percentage points, driven largely by public reaction to the Iran War and escalating economic concerns.

Multiple tracking services published data this week reflecting diminished support across key demographics. Rasmussen Reports registers 47% approval among likely voters, while Silver Bulletin calculates a net approval of negative 16.7%, marking the lowest point of Trump’s current term.

Gallup recorded a recent drop to 36%, approaching the all-time low of 34% observed during his previous term. Independent voters have emerged as a critical driver of the decline, with economic indicators including inflation and gas prices compounding foreign policy pressures.

What Is Trump’s Approval Rating Today?

• Rasmussen’s daily tracker shows 47% approval against 51% disapproval among 1,500 likely voters.
• Silver Bulletin reports a net approval of -16.7% as of April 1, 2026, down from -13.9% two weeks prior.
• Gallup recorded a second-term low of 36% approval, with another update showing steady 41%.
• Strong disapproval metrics reach 46.7% in weighted averages, indicating entrenched opposition.
• Approval for handling the Iran War stands at -14.3% net.
• Economic handling approval has fallen to -21.3% net, the worst of the second term.
• Inflation-specific approval sits at -32.7% net.

Has Trump’s Approval Rating Changed Recently?

Approval metrics have deteriorated sharply since the onset of the Iran War. Silver Bulletin data indicates the net approval rating fell from -13.9% to -16.7% within a two-week span ending April 1, 2026.

What Triggered the Decline?

The deterioration coincides with rising gas prices and sustained inflationary pressure. Issue-specific polling shows economy handling at -21.3% net and inflation at -32.7% net, both representing second-term lows. Foreign policy approval has also suffered, with the Iran War registering -14.3% net support.

Tracking the Velocity

Rasmussen’s daily tracking reveals accelerating negative sentiment. Total approval dropped from 56% to 50% in recent readings, while strongly approve fell from 40% to 35-37%. Conversely, strongly disapprove climbed to 43%, reflecting intensifying opposition rather than mild disapproval.

How Does Trump’s Approval Compare to Biden’s?

At equivalent points in their respective terms, Trump’s current standing trails that of his predecessor. Silver Bulletin data places Trump’s net approval at -16.7%, compared to Biden’s -11.7% at the same stage.

Net Approval Differential

The 4.8 percentage point gap between Trump’s current rating and Biden’s historical figure marks a significant departure from early second-term patterns. RealClearPolling maintains separate tracking for Biden job approval to facilitate direct comparison.

Historical Positioning

Gallup’s longitudinal data, tracking presidential approval from Truman through the present, places Trump’s second-term ratings in the tepid range of 37-41%. The current 36% reading approaches the 34% all-time low observed during his first term.

How Are Approval Ratings Calculated?

Different methodologies produce varying results. Understanding these distinctions explains why simultaneous polls may show approval ratings ranging from 36% to 47%.

Likely Voters Versus All Adults

Rasmussen surveys 1,500 likely voters daily with a margin of error of ±3%. Silver Bulletin defaults to all-adults samples but adjusts for demographic representation. Gallup employs multiday or weekly tracking with varying sample compositions depending on the era and research priorities.

Weighted Averages and House Effects

Silver Bulletin applies statistical weights accounting for pollster ratings, sample size, recency, and frequency. The model adjusts for “house effects”—systematic leanings specific to individual polling firms—before aggregating results. FiveThirtyEight utilizes similar aggregation principles, though specific Trump tracking now primarily appears through Silver Bulletin’s methodology.

How Have Trump’s Approval Ratings Trended Through Recent Events?

1. Iran War Onset: Approval begins sharp decline as military engagement commences. Source: Silver Bulletin
2. Gas Price Spike Period: Economic approval deteriorates to -21.3% net as fuel costs rise. Source: Silver Bulletin
3. Inflation Peak Concerns: Inflation-specific approval hits -32.7% net, marking a second-term low. Source: Silver Bulletin
4. Independents Shift: Gallup identifies independent voters driving the 37% approval floor. Source: Gallup Interactive
5. April 2026 Record Low: Silver Bulletin records -16.7% net approval. Source: Silver Bulletin
6. 36% Gallup Reading: Approaches all-time low of 34%. Source: Gallup

What Is Certain Versus Uncertain in Current Trump Polling?

What External Factors Are Shaping These Ratings?

The confluence of military engagement and economic pressure has created a uniquely challenging environment for the administration. Sydney Auction Results – 55% Clearance Rate, Key Stats reflect broader global economic uncertainties that parallel domestic concerns about inflation and consumer costs.

NATO allies’ approval of U.S. leadership has dropped to 21% in 2025, according to Gallup’s international tracking. This external perception decline coincides with domestic independent voter withdrawal, suggesting the approval slump extends beyond partisan bases.

Congressional approval has simultaneously fallen to 15%, with notable drops among Republican identifiers. This institutional decline indicates the current ratings reflect broader systemic dissatisfaction rather than solely executive evaluation.

What Do Leading Polling Organizations Report?

Trump’s net approval fell sharply since the Iran War began, linked to gas prices; economy handling at -21.3 net, inflation at -32.7 net.

— Silver Bulletin, April 1, 2026

Recent daily data shows approve dropping from 56% (earlier) to 50%, strongly approve from 40% to 35-37%, strongly disapprove rising to 43%.

— Rasmussen Reports Daily Tracking

Independent voters have driven recent lows, with 37% approval reflecting dissatisfaction across the political spectrum.

— Gallup Research

What Is the Bottom Line on Trump’s Approval Today?

Trump’s approval rating currently ranges between 36% and 47% depending on methodology, with all major trackers showing negative net approval between -13 and -16.7. The convergence of the Iran War, rising gas prices, and persistent inflation has produced the most challenging polling environment of his second term. For context on how public sentiment shifts during periods of uncertainty, see Best Horror Movies – Critics and Audience Rankings.

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