Summary (tl;dr)

Donald Trump's state approval ratings are trending due to recent polls showing a significant decline in his support, both nationally and in crucial battleground states, amidst economic concerns and the ongoing war with Iran, less than three months before the November 2026 midterm elections.

Essential Background

Donald Trump began his second term as President on January 20, 2025. His initial approval rating at the start of his second term was 47%, the second lowest in polling history for a president's inauguration. Throughout 2025 and into 2026, his approval ratings have consistently declined.

The Full Story

Recent polls, released in August 2026, indicate a notable drop in President Donald Trump's state and national approval ratings, which are now hovering between 33% and 35% nationally. These figures represent a record low for his second term and tie some of the lowest points of his first presidency. A state-by-state breakdown reveals that Trump is "deeply underwater" in all seven battleground states he won in the 2024 presidential election, including Arizona, Georgia, Michigan, Nevada, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin. Even in some reliably Republican states like Arkansas and Mississippi, his net approval has shifted into negative territory or reached new lows. This decline is largely attributed to ongoing economic concerns such as inflation and high gas prices, as well as the protracted U.S. involvement in the war with Iran, which began after he ordered military strikes earlier this year. The White House, however, has dismissed these low ratings, pointing to his 2024 election victory as the true measure of public support.

Why It Matters

The trending state approval ratings are critically important as they come just months before the November 2026 midterm elections, where control of Congress is at stake. Low presidential approval ratings typically act as a drag on the president's party in midterm elections, and current polling suggests Democrats hold an advantage over Republicans in handling the economy, a key concern for voters. These declining numbers could have significant consequences for crucial congressional races, potentially impacting the Republican Party's ability to maintain or expand its influence. Furthermore, the ongoing public dissatisfaction with the economy and the war in Iran indicates growing challenges for the Trump administration and could shape political discourse leading up to future elections.

Geographic Location

• Washington, D.C., District of Columbia, United States (seat of the Presidency and origin of policies impacting approval, as well as a center for national polling and reporting)
• United States (nationwide polling and analysis of President Donald Trump's approval ratings)
• Arizona, United States (key battleground state identified with deeply negative approval ratings for President Trump)
• Georgia, United States (key battleground state identified with deeply negative approval ratings for President Trump)
• Michigan, United States (key battleground state identified with deeply negative approval ratings for President Trump)
• Nevada, United States (key battleground state identified with deeply negative approval ratings for President Trump)
• North Carolina, United States (key battleground state identified with deeply negative approval ratings for President Trump)
• Pennsylvania, United States (key battleground state identified with deeply negative approval ratings for President Trump)
• Wisconsin, United States (key battleground state identified with deeply negative approval ratings for President Trump)
• Arkansas, United States (state where a new low in President Trump's job disapproval was reported)
• South Dakota, United States (state with specific mentions of varying approval estimates for President Trump)