Donald Trump’s Approval Rating Underwater on All Issues Across Two Polls – Newsweek
Published
Jun 03, 2026 at 10:51 AM EDT
updated
Jun 03, 2026 at 10:52 AM EDT
Associate News Editor
President Donald Trump’s approval ratings have slipped into negative territory across every major policy area tested in two new national surveys, highlighting a broad-based decline that now extends beyond any single issue.
The latest Harvard CAPS/Harris Poll and Marquette Law School national survey show Trump facing across-the-board disapproval, including on issues that once defined his political strength, such as immigration and border security.
The Marquette poll places Trump’s overall job approval at 38 percent approve to 62 percent disapprove, giving a net approval rating (those who approve minus those who disapprove) of -24, while the Harvard CAPS survey shows approval at 43 percent and disapproval at 53 percent (-10 net).
This national polling data indicates a clear shift: voter dissatisfaction is no longer isolated—it is systemic.
This shift comes at a critical moment as the 2026 midterm cycle begins to take shape.
Historically, presidents who enter midterms with underwater approval ratings—particularly among independents—have faced significant electoral losses. Aggregated polling averages now place Trump’s approval below 40 percent nationally, with disapproval approaching 60 percent.
What stands out is not just the headline number, but the breadth of the decline. Most presidents retain at least one area of strength; Trump’s ratings are now negative across all major policy domains.
The Harvard CAPS/Harris Poll, conducted May 29-31, 2026, surveyed 1,725 registered voters nationwide using an online opt-in panel weighted to reflect national demographics. The survey carries a margin of error of plus or minus 2.4 percentage points.
In this poll, Trump’s strongest areas remain:
But both fall short of majority support.
Economic ratings are significantly weaker:
These figures continue a broader trend, with inflation and the economy consistently his weakest areas.
The Marquette Law School national survey, conducted May 20-26, 2026, interviewed 1,001 adults nationwide using the SSRS Opinion Panel, a probability-based sample.
The poll has a margin of error of plus or minus 3.4 percentage points, with subsamples including 857 registered voters (plus or minus 3.6 percent) and 576 likely voters (plus or minus 4.4 percent).
Issue ratings:
Economic issues are far weaker:
Confidence has also deteriorated sharply.
Across both polls, economic dissatisfaction is the central driver.
Harvard CAPS:
Marquette:
Despite different methodologies, both surveys point to the same conclusion: inflation is the defining vulnerability of Trump’s second term.
For most modern presidents, approval tends to cluster—weak in one area, resilient in another. Trump’s current profile is different.
This removes a typical fallback. Presidents under pressure often pivot to stronger issues; current polling suggests fewer available options.
Despite the broad decline among the general electorate, Trump retains firm backing within the Republican Party.
The Marquette poll finds:
That base loyalty continues to shape Republican politics, even as national approval declines.
However, signs of strain are emerging, particularly on economic issues.
The sharpest political movement is among independents. Aggregated polling averages from CNN, The New York Times and Nate Silver consistently show Trump’s approval in the mid‑to‑high 30s, with net ratings firmly negative across all three trackers.
In past cycles, similar levels preceded significant midterm losses, including the Republican defeats in 2018.
While not determinative, the pattern presents a clear warning signal for Republicans in competitive districts.
The White House has dismissed the significance of recent polling, instead pointing to Trump’s 2024 election victory as the clearest measure of public support.
Spokesperson Davis Ingle has repeatedly cited the nearly 80 million Americans who voted for Trump as evidence of the administration’s mandate, framing that result as the overriding verdict on its agenda.
In a response that the White House has consistently used, Ingle said the administration remains focused on economic priorities such as jobs, inflation and housing affordability, while arguing that the impact of the president’s policies will become clearer over time.
The immediate implication is a more challenging political environment heading into the 2026 midterms.
If inflation and cost-of-living concerns persist, they are likely to shape campaign messaging across battleground races.
Trump’s continued dominance in Republican primaries ensures he will remain central to candidate selection, tying GOP fortunes closely to his national standing.
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