Trump's approval falls to record low as just 33% of Americans back him
US President Donald Trump's approval rating has dropped to a historic low of 33%, matching levels last seen in 2017. Analysts say this is unlikely to seriously threaten him politically, since his core MAGA base remains firmly loyal.
US President Donald Trump's approval rating has hit a historic low, with only 33% of Americans surveyed backing his actions. This matches the low point recorded in December 2017 during his first term. According to Oleksandr Kraiev, director of the North America program at the Ukrainian Prism Foreign Policy Council, Trump could break his own record low in 2026.
Discontent and economic strain
The sharpest disappointment comes from Latino and African American men, many of whom voted for Trump in 2024 expecting his tough immigration stance would protect their jobs from new arrivals. Instead, many were surprised when Trump began deporting immigrants who had already been living in the country for years.
Dissatisfaction is also rising among mid-sized businesses, even as large corporations continue receiving tax breaks. Kraiev attributes the price increases, inflation and fuel cost surges to what he calls Trump's "Iranian adventure" — a conflict that has also caused economic fallout in Europe following the blockade of the Strait of Hormuz.
A shared problem for both major parties
Despite Trump's falling numbers, Democrats are not benefiting, as their own approval is dropping in parallel — meaning the decline hits Trump less than it would in a normal political system. Kraiev predicts Trump could lose another 7 percentage points, settling around 25%, since that share represents his hardcore MAGA base, which remains loyal regardless of circumstances. Support among Republicans outside that core has already fallen from 90% to 51%.
Midterms and Ukraine
Ahead of the midterm elections scheduled for November 3, 2026, Trump's weak approval could drag down Republican candidates, though historically a president's party tends to underperform in midterms following a successful presidential win. Kraiev notes that Ukraine ranks low among American voters' priorities compared to prices and domestic issues, making it a kind of "golden share" for Trump: acting on it could boost his image, while inaction would not hurt him domestically, even though it would affect America's international standing.
