Trump’s Approval Rating Drops Below 30%

President Donald Trump’s approval rating fell below 30% for the first time during both his White House terms on Monday, as the midterms approach. The latest data from American Research Group, surveying 1,100 American adults between September 16-20, indicated an overall approval rating of 29% for the president. Approval of his economic policies was even lower, at 26%.

A significant 72% of those polled expressed the belief that the U.S. economy is deteriorating, citing rising gas and grocery prices, contrary to the Trump administration’s claims attributing these issues to the previous administration’s actions. Recent polls have generally shown Trump’s approval ratings situated in the mid-to-high 30s, though these figures fluctuate depending on specific policy areas.

The last instance of a presidential approval rating dipping into the 20s occurred in 2008, with President George W. Bush, according to Gallup’s presidential approval tracker. Newsweek attempted to reach the White House for comment on Monday morning.

Trump’s New Approval Rating: Key Insights

The ARG survey published on Monday reflected 68% voter disapproval regarding Trump’s performance, marking an increase of 2% since the August survey. The economy remains a particular point of contention, with 71% expressing disapproval of how Trump handles economic issues, up from 69% in the previous month. Notably, only 6% anticipated economic improvement over the next year, while 70% predicted worsening conditions.

These statistics could represent a significant setback for a president who has continuously highlighted his economic strategies and promised a ‘golden age.’ Household finances notably concern respondents, with less than 20% viewing their financial status positively, compared to 75% holding negative views.

In February 2025, shortly after Trump returned to the White House, optimism about economic improvement was shared by nearly half of his supporters, a sentiment that seems largely absent now.

Presidential Approval Ratings Compared

According to Gallup’s historical tracking data, the most recent occurrence of a president’s approval falling below 30% coincided with the global financial crisis of 2008, during which George W. Bush faced rising scrutiny in the election year.

Throughout their respective terms, President Barack Obama maintained an average approval rating of 48%, whereas President Joe Biden’s rating hovered around 42.2%. During both his first and second terms, Trump’s average rating has been approximately 41%, with his approval standing at around 34% when he first exited the White House.

This article was generated by Newsweek’s AI assistant, Martyn, with contributions from editors Jason Lemon and Gray R. Thomas.