Trump's Approval Ratings Remain Steady Despite Ongoing Challenges

Thu Jan 15 2026 16:03:42 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

A recent AP-NORC poll reveals about 40% of Americans approve of President Trump's performance as he navigates economic concerns and foreign policy challenges during his second term.

Despite significant events during his second term, President Trump maintains a steady approval rating of approximately 40%, according to a recent AP-NORC poll. Economic management has plagued his ratings, with only 37% of Americans approving of his handling of the economy—a significant drop from his first term. His approach to immigration has also declined in popularity, with just 38% approval, while his foreign policy decisions have prompted disapproval from 60% of the public. Overall, while Trump's approval numbers have remained consistent, skepticism about his focus and priorities is apparent.

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump’s second term has been eventful, yet his approval ratings remain unchanged. Approximately 4 in 10 U.S. adults currently approve of his performance, a figure that has remained consistent since the start of his term in March 2025.

The latest polling data from the Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research indicates that Trump is viewed as vulnerable, particularly regarding public perception of the economy and his foreign intervention priorities. His approval on immigration—traditionally one of his strongest suits—has weakened significantly since he took office.

Historically, Trump's approval ratings have remained steady relative to other presidents. Early in his first term, an approval rating of 42% was noted, with similar low fluctuations throughout. In stark contrast, President Joe Biden's approval declined rapidly, displaying a different trend for the current Democratic administration.

Key issues impacting Trump's approval include economic performance, where only 37% of adults approve. This rating reflects significant concern about living costs as 60% report negative impacts of his policies on this front.

Meanwhile, on immigration, Trump's efforts have seen an approval rating drop to 38%, down from 49%. Even within Republican circles, there's a growing perception that he's gone too far with deportations.

Shifting focus to foreign policy has also not yielded favorable outcomes. Approximately 60% of Americans disapprove of his approach, leading some to question his commitment to the "America First" ideology that initially defined his political brand.

The survey by AP-NORC, conducted from January 8-11 with 1,203 adult participants from the AmeriSpeak Panel, has a margin of error of ±3.9 percentage points.