Trump’s Approval Rating Falls Below 30 Percent

President Donald Trump’s approval rating dropped below 30 percent for the first time across both his White House terms. This decline comes as the midterm elections approach. The latest poll from American Research Group, conducted from September 16-20 with 1,100 American adults, shows Trump with a 29 percent overall approval rating. Views on the economy stand at 26 percent.

According to the survey, 72 percent of respondents believe the U.S. economy is worsening. This sentiment persists despite the Trump administration attributing economic pressures to the previous administration. Recent polls generally place Trump’s approval in the mid-to-high 30s, although this varies by policy area.

The last time a presidential approval rating was in the 20s was for President George W. Bush in 2008 during the financial crisis. Newsweek sought comment from the White House on Monday.

Trump’s New Approval Rating: Key Insights

The ARG survey highlights that 68 percent of voters disapprove of Trump’s performance, a 2 percent increase from August. His handling of the economy is viewed negatively by 71 percent, up from 69 percent the month before. Only 6 percent anticipate economic improvement over the next year, while 70 percent expect it to deteriorate.

This data represents a significant setback for Trump, who frequently praised his economic policies and promised a “golden age.” Personal finances are particularly worrisome, with fewer than 20 percent having a positive outlook on their household finances, compared to 75 percent who view them negatively.

In February 2025, shortly after Trump’s return to the White House, nearly half of his supporters believed in economic improvement. This optimism has now largely disappeared.

Comparing Other Presidents

Gallup’s historical data on presidential approval ratings indicates that the last time a president’s approval dipped below 30 percent was during the 2008 financial crisis. At that time, Bush faced increasing criticism ahead of the election.

On average, President Barack Obama maintained a 48 percent approval rating, while President Joe Biden has averaged around 42.2 percent during his term. Trump has averaged approximately 41 percent across his terms. When he exited the White House initially, his approval was about 34 percent.