Trump’s Favorability Ratings Show Political Polarization Across Party Lines

President Donald Trump has a net favorability rating of -8 percent according to a recent Harvard CAPS/Harris poll. This indicates that while 42 percent of voters view him favorably, 50 percent have an unfavorable view. In comparison, New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani’s net favorability stands at -14 percent, with 25 percent favorable and 39 percent unfavorable. These figures come from a survey that included 2,100 registered voters conducted from August 28-30, 2026, with a 2.1 percent margin of error.

Despite being pivotal figures for their respective parties, neither Trump nor Mamdani is viewed positively by a majority. Trump’s role in reshaping the GOP aligns with his Make America Great Again (MAGA) agenda. Mamdani, on the other hand, represents the progressive wing of the Democratic Party, having risen to prominence following his upset victory over Andrew Cuomo in New York’s mayoral primary.

According to the poll, 51 percent of voters perceive the Democratic Party as being influenced by the far left, while 45 percent believe the Republican Party is swayed by the far right. Mamdani’s influence marks a significant change within the Democratic Party. His policies sparked debate on whether to adopt his progressive stance or distance from it. Similarly, Trump’s dominance complicates the GOP’s ability to separate from his agenda.

Grant Davis Reeher, a political science professor at Syracuse University, commented on the impact of Trump’s targeting of socialist ideals. Reeher noted Mamdani’s challenges with staff and policy, suggesting these issues might diminish his ‘young phenom’ effect. Reeher also opined that Trump is the de facto leader of the Republican Party, whereas Mamdani, while influential, does not lead the Democratic Party.

Echoing Reeher’s views, Craig Agranoff, a professor at Florida Atlantic University, noted the fluid nature of national favorability ratings. Agranoff explained that Trump’s numbers are more stable due to his higher profile. Mamdani is still building recognition outside New York, with different centers of power within the Democratic Party.

The Harvard CAPS/Harris poll reveals only two figures with positive net favorability: Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and Secretary of State Marco Rubio. Trump’s ratings are notably worse than those of Vice President Kamala Harris, Vice President JD Vance, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, and Speaker Mike Johnson. His favorability is better than Governor Gavin Newsom, and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, among others.

Other polls, however, suggest a different trend for Mamdani. A Siena College poll in August showed 47 percent of New York voters viewed him favorably. During his first 100 days, 48 percent approved of his performance. Earlier in July, a Harvard CAPS/Harris poll showed Trump’s net favorability at -13 percent compared to Mamdani’s -7 percent.

A June Siena University poll indicated Trump’s favorability at 32 percent, versus 63 percent unfavorable. Mamdani saw a favorable view from 45 percent of New Yorkers, with 34 percent unfavorable. In May, a Harvard CAPS/Harris poll recorded Trump’s net favorability at -6 percent. Mamdani’s net favorability dropped to -10 percent with the poll’s margin of error of 2.4 percent.