DemDaily: Polling Update: Behind The 37%
May 26, 2026
Sixteenth months into his presidency, approval of Donald Trump’s job performance sits at a steady 37% approval and 57% disapproval rating -- a historic low. No sitting US president has sustained an approval aggregate under 38% for more than a few consecutive days in nearly two decades.
According to the latest Economist/YouGov poll, 63% of Americans say the economy is getting worse -- the highest condemnation of Trump's performance on the issue of top importance to most US citizens -- than at any time during either of his two terms as president.
Most significantly, since the beginning of March, the share of Republicans who say the economy is getting worse has roughly doubled from 18% to 34%, a 16-point jump.
| According to The Economist/YouGov weekly tracking poll of US Adults, conducted May 15-18, 2026, Trump’s job performance stands at 37% approval/57% disapproval (MOE: ±3.3%). That is down 10 points from the beginning of the president’s second term. In his first term (2017–2021), Trump maintained an average approval rating of 41%, hitting a final term low of 34% in January 2021. |
With Trump underwater in almost every demographic and major issue, the question is not how unpopular the president is, but who among the voting public is most dissatisfied?
Job Performance
More than twice as many respondents say they Strongly Disapprove (49%) of Trump's performance as Strongly Approve (19%). Of the 64% of Independents who disapprove, 53% strongly disapprove vs. 11% who strongly approve.
Political Party
Democrats: 4% approve, 95% disapprove
Republicans: 83% approve, 14% disapprove
Independents: 26% approve, 64% disapprove
Approval by Sex
Female: 35% approve, 59% disapprove
Male: 39% approve, 56% disapprove
Approval by Race
White: 44% approve, 51% disapprove
Black: 10% approve, 83% disapprove
Hispanic: 33% approve, 60% disapprove
Approval by Education
College+ Degree: 35% approve, 62% disapprove
No College Degree: 38% approve, 55% disapprove
Approval by Age
18-29: 28% approve, 65% disapprove
30-44: 28% approve, 62% disapprove
45-64: 43% approve, 54% disapprove
65+: 46% approve, 51% disapprove
| Generic Congressional Ballot: According to The Economist/YouGov poll, when asked, "If the election for US Congress were held today, who would you vote for in the district where you live?": 40% said the Democratic Party candidate and 35% said the Republican Party candidate. "Other" secured 1%, Not Sure 9% and "I would not vote" 14%. |
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Sources: The Economist, YouGov, New York Times, AP
