Summary (tl;dr)

Donald Trump's state approval ratings are currently trending as new polls indicate a significant decline, reaching second-term lows across most of the United States, particularly in key battleground states, ahead of the November 2026 midterm elections.

Essential Background

Donald Trump was inaugurated for his second term as President on January 20, 2025. His second term began with an approval rating of 47%, which was the second-lowest approval rating at the start of a presidential term in polling history, only surpassed by his own first term. Throughout 2025 and 2026, his aggregated presidential approval ratings have consistently remained low and have been steadily declining.

The Full Story

Interest in Donald Trump's state approval ratings is surging as recent polls, including those from Civiqs, Reuters/Ipsos, and Angus Reid Institute, show his national approval rating hovering around 33-35%, marking a new low for his second term. At the state level, his net approval rating is "underwater" (disapproval exceeding approval) in most states, including all seven battleground states he won in the 2024 presidential election, such as Arizona, Georgia, Michigan, Nevada, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin. Only a handful of reliably Republican strongholds, like Idaho, West Virginia, and Wyoming, show him with positive net approval. This decline is largely attributed to factors such as the ongoing "Iran war" and rising gas prices, which have negatively impacted public sentiment.

Why It Matters

These trending state approval ratings are highly significant as they are critical indicators for the upcoming November 2026 midterm elections, which will determine control of Congress. A continued decline in the President's approval in swing states could have substantial consequences for Republican candidates in crucial congressional races. Voters' concerns over economic issues like inflation and gas prices, exacerbated by the conflict in Iran, are also influencing their choices, with a notable shift in preference towards Democrats for handling the economy.

Geographic Location

• United States (national analysis of approval ratings)
• Arizona, United States (analysis of approval ratings in a key battleground state)
• California, United States (analysis of low approval ratings)
• Georgia, United States (analysis of approval ratings in a key battleground state)
• Hawaii, United States (analysis of low approval ratings)
• Idaho, United States (analysis of high approval ratings)
• Maryland, United States (analysis of low approval ratings)
• Michigan, United States (analysis of approval ratings in a key battleground state)
• Nevada, United States (analysis of approval ratings in a key battleground state)
• Pennsylvania, United States (analysis of approval ratings in a key battleground state)
• Vermont, United States (analysis of low approval ratings)
• West Virginia, United States (analysis of high approval ratings)
• Wisconsin, United States (analysis of approval ratings in a key battleground state)
• Wyoming, United States (analysis of high approval ratings)