Jan. 3, 2026, 12:55 a.m. ET
After a year marked by government shutdown, tariffs, controversial economic policies, the Epstein files and ICE, we now enter the second calendar year of President Donald Trump’s second term.
As 2026 begins, the split across party lines and among Americans continues to manifest itself in the president’s approval ratings.
“Donald Trump’s approval rating reflects his rollercoaster year,” according to The Economist. Americans, according to the article, are concerned about how the president has handled the economy and “worry that Mr. Trump’s tariffs and health-care spending policies will cost them.”
Trump remains a polarizing figure, as the first year of his second presidential term was marked by a series of unconventional ― and often unprecedented ― actions.
Recent elections and polls have been pointing to a weak spot for Trump: the economy and cost of living. But in a Dec. 17 primetime address, Trump blamed problems with affordability on the Democrats.
The federal government shutdown stalemate underscores Trump’s turbulent 2025, during which he deployed troops in U.S. cities, imposed widespread tariffs, slashed federal spending by axing government jobs through a newly created Department of Government Efficiency, and authorized the demolition of the White House’s historic East Wing to make way for a 90,000-square-foot ballroom. He’s also leading the effort to build a giant arch, reminiscent of Paris’ Arc de Triomphe, in the nation’s capital, which remains unclear how it will be funded.
Here’s what the latest polls say nationally and in Pennsylvania:
Donald Trump approval ratings: What latest polls show
Note: Polls are constantly changing and different pollsters ask different varieties of the population.
The Economist
Most recent Trump approval rating, according to the latest from The Economist (Jan. 2, 2026):
- Favorable: 39%
- Unfavorable: 56%
- Not sure: 4%
The latest report shows that voters believe the top three most important issues Americans are facing are inflation/prices, jobs and the economy, followed by health care. This ranking has remained steady in the past few months.
New York Times
Most recent Trump approval rating, according to the latest New York Times poll (Jan. 2, 2026):
- Favorable: 42%
- Unfavorable: 54%
Silver Bulletin
Most recent Trump approval rating according to Pollster Nate Silver’s “Silver Bulletin” newsletter (Jan. 2, 2022):
- Favorable: 42%
- Unfavorable: 54%
Civiqs
Most recent Trump approval rating according to Civiqs poll (Jan. 1, 2026):
- Favorable: 40%
- Unfavorable: 56%
- Not sure: 4%
Rasmussen
Most recent Trump approval rating, according to the latest Rasmussen poll (Dec. 31, 2025):
- Favorable: 44%
- Unfavorable: 56%
The latest figures include 29% of U.S. voters who “strongly approve” of the job Trump is doing as president as well as 44% of voters who “strongly disapprove,” according to the report.
Morning Consult
Most recent Trump approval rating, according to the latest Morning Consult poll (Dec. 22, 2025):
- Favorable: 45%
- Unfavorable: 52%
American Research Group
Most recent Trump approval rating, according to the latest from American Research Group (Dec. 22, 2025):
- Favorable: 35%
- Unfavorable: 62%
Emerson College
Most recent Trump approval rating, according to the latest Emerson College poll (Dec. 18, 2025):
- Favorable: 41%
- Unfavorable: 50%
Fox News
Most recent Trump approval rating from Fox News (Dec. 12-15, 2025):
- Favorable: 44%
- Unfavorable: 56%
Reuters/Ipsos
Most recent Trump approval rating, according to the latest from Reuters/Ipsos poll (Dec. 15, 2025):
- Favorable: 39%
- Unfavorable: 59%
Gallup
Most recent Trump approval rating, according to the latest Gallup poll (Dec. 1-15, 2025):
- Favorable: 36%
- Unfavorable: 59%
- No opinion: 5%
What are Trump’s approval numbers in Pennsylvania?
According to Civiqs polls, last updated Jan. 1, 2026, Trump’s net approval stands at −15% in Pennsylvania.About 55% of Pennsylvanians polled currently disapprove of the president’s performance. About 40% approve of Trump’s job performance and another 5% didn’t feel one way or the other.
These polling numbers were also broken down by age, education, gender, race and party.
Age: Those between 18–34 were most unfavorable of Trump (67%), while those 50 to 64 were the most favorable (49%).Education: Respondents across all education levels disapprove of Trump’s job performance, with postgraduates at 70% disapproval as well as 57% of college graduates and 51% of non-college graduates.Gender: Men and women are slightly split on Trump. Most females (60%) and about half of males (49%) have an unfavorable view of the president.Party: Members of the Republican party were 87% favorable of Trump, compared to the Democratic party, who felt just 2% favorable of the president’s performance. A little more than half of Independent voters were unfavorable (58%).Race: Results broken down by race show a mostly unfavorable view of Trump across the board. Black voters had the highest unfavorable opinion of Trump (90%), followed by Hispanic/Latino at 68%, Other at 63% and white at 49%.
