Trump approval falls to level not seen since first term
Gallup data shows the U.S. President struggling with the same weak support he faced in 2017.
Donald Trump’s approval rating has dropped back to levels not seen since his first months in office, according to Gallup. The polling institute reported that in July, his support fell to 37%, before edging up to 40% in August, reflecting the weakest points of his presidency. The only lower figures recorded were in August 2017, when his approval slipped to 35%, and in January 2021, when it ended at 34%.
Donald Trump’s First & Second-Term Job Approval Rating Trends | GALLUP
Trump’s second-term approval has mirrored the poor results at the start of his first term, underscoring a persistent struggle to consolidate support among the wider public.
The decline coincides with Trump’s state visit to the United Kingdom, where he was received with high honours. The ceremonial welcome provided a sharp contrast to headlines at home, which focused on public discontent.
Donald Trump’s approval trajectory has been unusually volatile compared to that of recent presidents. He first entered office in January 2017 with 45% support, quickly fell to 35% within eight months, then rebounded to the 40–42% range by mid-2018. Unlike his predecessors, he later exceeded his starting figure, climbing to 49% in January 2022 during Senate impeachment proceedings. At that stage, Trump overtook Barack Obama’s rating at the same point in office, highlighting a rare moment when his numbers rose above initial expectations.
Joe Biden, by contrast, never regained early momentum. His ratings stagnated around the 40% mark throughout much of his presidency. By January 2024, as economic pressures mounted and internal party disputes weakened his reelection campaign, his approval rating had dropped to 41%.
Obama also faced an early slide. His initial popularity collapsed more sharply than either of his successors, driven by partisan disputes over stimulus spending and the Affordable Care Act. By January 2012, during a bruising battle with Republicans over the debt ceiling and amid weak job creation, his rating stood at 45%.
Despite differences in governing style, Obama, Trump, and Biden all experienced sharp early declines in public support, converging around similar levels during their third year in office.
The long-term comparison illustrates a broader shift in American politics. Presidents once enjoyed extended “honeymoon” periods with approval above 60%. Now, polarisation has eroded that cushion, leaving leaders vulnerable to rapid downturns and narrow bands of support.
Trump’s current 40% underscores this reality. While momentary spikes remain possible, Gallup’s historical data suggests that once ratings sink into the high 30s, sustained recovery is rare.
With the United States heading into another contentious election season (Midterms), the persistence of these low figures could complicate Trump’s attempts to secure political legitimacy at home, even as he enjoys ceremonial prestige abroad.
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