President Donald Trump’s approval rating had hit a new low, according to a poll.
A survey by The Washington Post, ABC News and Ipsos, found that 60 percent of U.S. adults disapprove of the president while 39 percent approve of him, leaving him with a net approval rating of -21 percentage points.
The pollsters said the 60 percent disapproval rating represented the greatest proportion of people who disapproved of the President since the January 6, 2021, Capitol riot during the end of his first term in office. Therefore, Trump’s approval rating has hit a record low in his second term thus far.
Newsweek reached out to the White House by email outside of normal business hours for comment.
Why It Matters
Trump’s approval rating will become evermore important when voters participate in the fast-approaching midterm elections. These ballots, held in key seats across the country, could change the balance of power in the U.S. as the GOP seeks to protect its slim majorities in both chambers of Congress. While Trump is not on the ticket, the elections are seen as a way for voters to cast their judgment on the president.
What To Know
The poll of 2,589 adults was conducted between February 12 and 17 and had a margin of error of +/-2 percentage points.
It came ahead of Trump’s State of the Union address in which he will speak to Congress about the situation in America and how his administration is dealing with a range of issues, including economic growth and foreign policy.
It found that in terms of specific issues, Trump was rated lowest on inflation, where he had a net approval rating of -32 percentage points. His tariffs policies were deemed similarly unpopular, with a net approval rating of -30 percentage points.
His handling of the U.S.-Mexico border, on the other hand garnered him the most positive ratings, with a net approval rating of -3 percentage points. And while his handling of the economy is still net -16 points, this is an improvement from October when it was net -25 points.
It also comes amid other negative polling regarding the president. Writing in his blog Silver Bulletin last week, Nate Silver—a statistician and political analyst—said Trump’s approval rating had plummeted to net -15 percentage points with 40.5 percent approving of him and 55.5 percent disapproving. This, he said, was a second term low. By Sunday, he said it ticked up slightly to -13.6 points.
Meanwhile, an AP-NORC poll conducted February 5-8, 2026, using NORC’s AmeriSpeak Panel, found Trump’s approval at 36 percent and disapproval at 62 percent, a net minus 26 that matched his November low with the same pollster.
What People Are Saying
White House spokesman Davis Ingle previously told Newsweek in an emailed statement: “President Trump was overwhelmingly elected by nearly 80 million Americans to deliver on his popular and common-sense agenda. The president has already made historic progress not only in America, but around the world. It is not surprising that President Trump remains the most dominant figure in American politics.”
President Donald Trump wrote on Truth Social in February: “The highest Poll Numbers I have ever received. Obviously, people like a strong and powerful Country, with the best economy, EVER!”
What Happens Next
Trump’s approval rating will continue to change throughout his presidency as voters react to his policies and national and international events.
The State of the Union address will be held on Tuesday at 9 p.m. E.T.
In a polarized era, the center is dismissed as bland. At Newsweek, ours is different: The Courageous Center—it’s not “both sides,” it’s sharp, challenging and alive with ideas. We follow facts, not factions. If that sounds like the kind of journalism you want to see thrive, we need you.
When you become a Newsweek Member, you support a mission to keep the center strong and vibrant. Members enjoy: Ad-free browsing, exclusive content and editor conversations. Help keep the center courageous. Join today.
Read the full article here
