Public approval of President Donald Trump’s job performance has experienced a steady downward trajectory across the United States, according to a series of recent national surveys released in late summer and early September 2026. The dip in support arrives at a critical juncture for the administration, as candidates and party strategists prepare for the upcoming 2026 midterm elections.
The downturn in executive branch approval is visible across multiple independent research institutions and media polling outfits. With congressional control hanging in the balance, public sentiment reflects broad dissatisfaction with the current administration's direction, spanning key domestic concerns as well as international developments.
Among the latest releases, an Ipsos survey conducted in partnership with Reuters sampled 1,167 adults nationwide to evaluate public standing. The findings revealed that 33% of respondents approved of Trump’s presidential performance, while 63% expressed disapproval. This result left the president with a net negative approval rating of 30 percentage points, driven heavily by persistent voter concerns surrounding the cost of living.
An even wider deficit was recorded by the American Research Group, which surveyed 1,100 adult Americans regarding economic and political conditions. In that poll, Trump garnered a 30% approval rating against a 66% disapproval rating, yielding a net negative margin of 36 percentage points. The survey highlights sustained headwinds among respondents evaluating national leadership and overall economic management.
Foreign affairs and international conflicts have also weighed heavily on public evaluations of the administration. An AP/NORC poll of 1,165 adults found an approval rating of 33% compared to 66% disapproval, translating to a net score of -33 percentage points. The survey indicated widespread public skepticism regarding ongoing military engagements, particularly regarding whether conflict involving Iran remains worth fighting.
A similar sentiment was mirrored in a CNN/SSRS poll surveying 1,225 adults across the country. The survey reported that 34% of respondents approved of the president's job performance, while 66% disapproved, resulting in a net rating of -32 percentage points. The consistent figures between multiple major media polls underscore the extent of public unease leading into the fall campaign season.
In a separate survey conducted by Quinnipiac University, researchers measured the opinions of 963 adults nationwide. The institution reported a 32% approval rating alongside a 58% disapproval mark, which equates to a net negative approval rating of 26 percentage points. While slightly narrower than some peer surveys, the results still place the administration substantially underwater.
Not all surveys placed the president’s approval in the low thirties, though none showed positive overall marks. A nationwide poll conducted by Emerson College among 1,000 adult participants showed Trump securing a 40% approval rating against 56% disapproval. This outcome produced a net rating of -16 percentage points, standing as one of the narrower deficits recorded in the late-summer polling slate.
Similarly, a national survey from the Marquette University Law School sampled 1,076 adults to gauge the primary drivers of voter sentiment. The results showed 40% approval and 60% disapproval for a net rating of -20 percentage points. The Marquette researchers identified inflation, everyday expenses, and broader economic health as the predominant issues occupying voters' minds.
When viewed collectively, the batch of seven prominent national polls reveals an approval band ranging strictly between 30% and 40%, with disapproval figures consistently hovering between 56% and 66%. The uniform net-negative outcomes demonstrate that public skepticism is not isolated to an individual polling methodology, but rather reflects a broader national trend.
The falling numbers have also resonated in traditionally conservative bastions such as South Carolina, where the president has actively campaigned to bolster Republican incumbents and contenders. On August 21, 2026, Trump traveled to the Myrtle Beach Convention Center in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, appearing on stage alongside U.S. Sen. Darline Graham to rally party faithful ahead of competitive legislative contests.
Despite high-profile campaign appearances, local political dynamics reflect growing complexities and internal tensions within the state's political landscape. Key regional figures, including U.S. Rep. Ralph Norman, have publicly declined to commit to campaigning alongside Graham, illustrating the delicate balancing act down-ballot Republicans face when aligning with the national ticket.
The political friction was also evident as media and campaign teams gathered at an Election Day watch party held on August 25, 2026, at the Willoughby, Humphrey and D’Antonio Law Firm Building in Columbia, South Carolina. State candidates must navigate voter sentiment on pocketbook pressures while maintaining unity across diverse factions of the electorate.
As the 2026 midterm election cycle enters its decisive phase, the administration faces the dual challenge of defending its legislative record and re-energizing a weary electorate. With economic issues, cost-of-living concerns, and foreign policy disputes remaining central to voter deliberations, these polling trends suggest that securing legislative majorities will require overcoming significant public headwinds across both swing districts and traditional party strongholds.
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