Summary
- Trump's GOP disapproval hits 10 percent, first double-digit.
- 86 percent of Republicans still approve of him.
- Overall national approval around 38 percent; disapproval 54 percent.
On the other hand, 86 percent of Republicans still support his performance as president.
His unpopularity is trending somewhat upward, according to the most recent Quinnipiac University survey. Republicans' disapproval of Trump increased marginally from 8 percent in July to 9 percent in August.
The study also included opinions of other important members of the government in addition to Trump.
For instance, 10 percent of Republicans are against Kash Patel's leadership of the FBI, 11 percent are against U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi, and 11 percent are against Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.
Similar levels of dislike are seen when compared to other recent surveys, including YouGov/Economist and Echelon Insights. Trump's approval is at a record low of 39 percent, according to a YouGov/Economist poll, while disapproval has increased to 57 percent, up from 54 percent the previous week.
According to a September 18–22 Echelon Insights poll, Trump's net approval has decreased by four points since last month, with disapproval rising to 53 percent and acceptance falling to 45 percent.
The change may be more than just symbolic, according to political commentators. Trump's base is primarily composed of Republicans, so any rise in disapproval, even among GOP members, could make things more difficult in the next 2026 midterm elections.
"It is my opinion, increasingly, in view of the extremely negative ratings experienced by a Republican led Administration, it does appear that, barring some highly unlikely unforeseen circumstances, the midterm elections will bring about a major shift in the makeup of the House of Representatives, with an overwhelming victory for Democratic House candidates,” William F. Hall, an adjunct Professor of Political Science and business at Webster University in St. Louis, Missouri, previously told Newsweek.
“This view reflects the negative ratings held by a Republican led Administration, virtually in every significant category, related to political success, including the state of the economy, employment, inflation, and especially lack of optimism being displayed by the vast number of Americans,”
added.
Trump said he had "the highest poll numbers I ever had" at the UN General Assembly on Tuesday, however it's not clear whose survey he was referring to.
In the meantime, more than two-thirds of Americans believe that the economy is in fair or bad shape, according to a different Economist/YouGov survey of 1,551 American adults conducted between September 19 and 22.
What issues correlated with higher Republican disapproval in the poll?
11% of Republicans do not approve of Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., expressing concerns about significant figures associated with the administration aside from Trump himself.
10% do not approve of how Kash Patel has overseen the FBI, suggesting they continue to be uncomfortable with law enforcement leadership within the administration. 11% do not approve of U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi, reflecting a deeper concern about the Justice Department.
Republicans routinely raise inflation, the economy, and the budget deficit as major issues that will inform their evaluation of the administration.