President Donald Trump’s approval rating has been stagnant over the last few months but is lower than it was at this point in 2018 and lower than most other recent presidents at this point in their terms, according to data from the Pew Research Center. Additionally, the partisan gap is larger today than ever with the advantage to the Democrats.
By The Numbers:
Trump’s approval rating stands at 34% in Pew today. That’s lower than Trump’s approval at this point in 2018, when his approval was at 40%. It’s closer to President Joe Biden’s 37% in the summer before the 2022 Midterm Elections.
How does this compare to past presidents? Obama, Clinton, and Reagan had higher rating than Trump going into their Midterm Elections. Obama was at 47% in the summer of 2010 and 44% in summer of 2014. Clinton was at 45% in the summer of 1994 and 63% in the summer of 1998. Reagan was at 42% in the summer of 1982 and 63% in the summer of 1986. Presidents George H.W. Bush and George W. Bush saw their approval ratings decline later in their presidencies. Bush 41 was 60% in the summer of 1990 and Bush 43 was 65% in the summer of 2002 and 36% in the summer of 2006.
The partisan approval gaps in both of Trump’s terms (78% today and 80% in the first term) are the widest in more than seven decades of presidential approval ratings.
The Bottom Line: Trump has generally been immune from public approval ratings. Low ratings didn’t keep him from winning in 2016 or 2024. We will know in just over 80 days if the large partisan gap affects voter turnout and persuasion and with them, the outcome of the midterm.
