(Written August 24, 2025)

Recent polls show President Trump underwater with the American public. Reports show that voters believe the top three most important issues Americans are currently facing are inflation/prices, jobs and the economy, and health care. These issues are creating uncertainty in many people.  In fact, Trump’s approval rating in a Pew poll shows a nine-point drop, giving him an approval rating that has dropped to a near-record low this month.  The Pew Research Center poll, released Aug. 14, shows Trump with a 38% approval rating, down nine points since Pew’s February survey at the start of his second term. Sixty percent of respondents said they disapprove of his job performance. Pew attributes the decline to falling support from his 2024 voters and among adults who didn’t vote in November.  Other recent polls show less dramatic but still concerning shifts. For example, The Economist’s latest poll shows a slight increase in approval, suggesting mixed public sentiment.

Presidential approval ratings were first conducted by the founder of the American Institute of Public Opinion, George Gallup, around 1935 to gauge public support for the president of the United States during their term.  While Gallup has tracked presidential approval for 70 years, other organizations also conduct and release their own polls.  A president’s approval rating reflects the percentage of Americans polled who approve of the president’s performance. Anything can impact a president’s rating, such as legislation passed, actions and elections. According to ABC News, an approval rating doesn’t just represent how well the administration is faring for the general public but could factor into the outcome of an upcoming election or how much they accomplish while in office.  The following are the latest polls from numerous sources:

The Economist (Aug. 15, 2025):

• Favorable: 42%
• Unfavorable: 54%
• Not sure: 4%

Morning Consult (Aug. 15, 2025):

• Favorable: 45%
• Unfavorable: 51%

Silver Bulletin (Aug. 15, 2025):

• Favorable: 44%
• Unfavorable: 53%

Rasmussen (Aug. 15, 2025):

• Favorable: 49%
• Unfavorable: 49%

New York Times (Aug. 15, 2025):

• Favorable: 44%
• Unfavorable: 53%

Pew Research Center (Aug. 14, 2025)

• Favorable: 38%
• Unfavorable: 60%

Quantus Insights (Aug. 14, 2025):

• Favorable: 47%
• Unfavorable: 49%
• Not sure: 4%

CNBC (Aug. 7, 2025):

• Favorable: 47%
• Unfavorable: 51%

Real Clear Politics (July 28, 2025):

• Favorable: 46%
• Unfavorable: 52%

Reuters/Ipsos (July 25-27, 2025):

• Favorable: 40%
• Unfavorable: 56%

Navigator Research (July 25, 2025):

• Favorable: 43%
• Unfavorable: 54%

Emerson College (July 25, 2025):

• Favorable: 46%
• Unfavorable: 47%

Gallup (July 7-21, 2025):

• Favorable: 37%
• Unfavorable: 59%
• No opinion: 4%

Quinnipiac University (July 16, 2025):

• Favorable: 40%
• Unfavorable: 54%

How does Trump’s approval rating compare to previous presidents at this point in their term?

• Joe Biden (June 2021) – 56% approve
• Donald Trump (June 2017) – 38% approve
• Barack Obama (June 2009) – 61% approve
• George W. Bush (June 2001) – 54% approve
• Bill Clinton (June 1993) – 41% approve
• George H.W. Bush (June 1989) – 70% approve
• Ronald Reagan (June 1981) – 59% approve
• Jimmy Carter (June 1977) – 63% approve
• Richard Nixon (June 1969) – 63% approve
• Lyndon Johnson (June 1964) – 55% approve
• John F. Kennedy (June 1961) – 73% approve

It is worth noting that President Trump’s current 38% approval polls place him almost as low as his rating during his first term.  President Trump’s rating during both terms is the lowest of any of the presidents listed above. (Freile, Victoria E., and Barnes, Emily, USA Today)

Other Ways to Evaluate a President

Although the polls indicate that the president is unpopular, other ways of viewing his presidency must also be considered.  Trump’s net approval rating remains above water in 27 states. And Trump has a positive net approval rating in three 2024 swing states — Nevada, Georgia and North Carolina — and has an even rating in Arizona. The idea that he still has such support is troubling but not unexpected.  These states supported the Trump candidacy and are larger MAGA strongholds. Trump is underwater in two states set to host big gubernatorial races this fall. In Virginia, 45% of voters approve of his job performance, while 52% disapprove. And in New Jersey, 44% approve of Trump, while 53% disapprove. Trump’s approval rating is underwater in Arizona, Alaska, Florida, Georgia, Iowa, Maine, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Nevada, North Carolina, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin.  In areas of the country where Trump still maintains a positive approval rating, his popularity has still slipped. For instance, in Oklahoma, it was +34 percentage points in January but has since fallen by 7 points. In Utah, his popularity has declined by 10 percentage points—from a +21-approval rating to +11.

What to do When a President is not performing?

It can be argued that when a majority of voters find an elected official following a path that is not desired, that elected official should be removed from office.  The options to remove President Trump from office are limited, and three of them would likely fail.  One option is impeachment.  We have been there twice and failed both times.  It is doubtful that another impeachment would succeed.  The 25^th Amendment is a second option but would require the majority of his cabinet to declare him unfit.  Since his cabinet has been selected for their personal loyalty, it is also doubtful that this option would be used.  The third option would require Congress to step forward and bring President Trump’s abuse of the Constitution under control.  This option should have been the first choice.  However, the Republican controlled Congress has not stepped into the controversy.  Instead, Republicans have supported Trump’s often unconstitutional moves. And while the Supreme Court could stop much of the abuse of Constitutional and legal rights, they have chosen to either send the cases back to lower courts for further adjudication, or when a decision has been made, it often reflects Donald Trump’s conservative majority view.  The fourth option is an election.  If a popular vote or vote of confidence were to be held today, Donald Trump would likely lose.  However, there is no law allowing for a recall election for a president.  Therefore, the earliest that the third option is available would be in November 2028. 

If the majority who disapprove of President Trump speak with one voice, it is possible that in November 2026, Congress could be flipped from Republican control to the Democratic control.  This change in control of the legislative branch could bring President Trump’s agenda to a quick halt.  I am suggesting that whether you are Democrat, Independent, Socialist, Libertarian, other minority party, or even a disgruntled Republican, a vote for someone other than the current Republican holding office would allow for a change in support for President Trump.  While demonstrations, emails, letters, blogs and other instruments are options, the most powerful option is the ballot box.  Elon Musk recognizes this.  Whether he follows through with his American Party candidates in key races waits to be seen.  If he does as he suggests several critical Congressional seats could be removed from Republican Control.