Trump’s Declining Approval Among Independents

President Donald Trump faces declining support from independent voters. National polls show his approval rating at record lows. This trend could impact the 2026 elections. Independent voters play a crucial role in midterms. A shift away from Trump may impact key House and Senate races.

Poll Data Highlights

Civiqs data shows sharp declines among independents. In early 2025, Trump had a net approval of -5. By mid-2026, that number plummeted to -33. This is a 38-point swing.

The Economist/YouGov poll reported worse numbers. A recent survey found independents with a -50 net approval. This is a 46-point drop since early 2025.

AP-NORC shows a long-term decline. Initially, about four in 10 independents supported Trump. By 2026, support dropped to one-quarter.

Detailed Poll Findings

Civiqs maintains a rolling national tracker. Over 110,000 responses show independents’ declining approval from January 2025 to June 2026. This consistent decline reflects a structural erosion.

“A record-low among Independents for either term.” – Allen Houston, YouGov

YouGov’s data aligns with this. It highlights a unique historical decline. AP-NORC aggregated data points to a significant support drop post-2024 election. This includes varying demographic impacts.

Impact on Different Groups

Among independents without a college degree, support decreased. Half supported Trump around the election. By 2026, support dropped to about one-quarter. Across demographics, Trump’s early support vanished.

Declining Favorability

PRRI captured favorability trends. A May 2026 survey revealed only 25% of independents viewed Trump favorably. This is a decrease from 35% in March 2025.

Despite different methodologies, polls show similar trends. Each dataset indicates a decline in approval and favorability.

Official Response and Future Implications

The White House refers to Trump’s 2024 victory as an “ultimate poll.” Spokesperson Davis Ingle emphasizes Trump’s achievements. He mentioned efforts to create jobs, reduce inflation, and improve housing.

How this decline impacts future elections is uncertain. Political and economic factors may influence independent voters further. For now, polls confirm growing skepticism among independents toward Trump.