Trump Approval Rating Is Double Digits Higher Than Democrats in Congress
By: Anna Commander (Newsweek)
Democrats are an alternative? That's not what the Gallup polls are saying.
S E E D E D C O N T E N T
President Donald Trump's approval rating is 12 percent higher than Democrats in Congress, a new poll from Gallup released on Monday showed.
Why It Matters
Approval ratings for public officials serve as a potentially crucial barometer of public sentiment, especially in an election cycle marked by economic anxieties and political turmoil.
As Trump continues in his second term, his approval rating currently outpaces that of Democrats and Republicans in Congress. This dynamic could possibly shape the Republican Party's efforts to maintain control of Congress in the 2026 midterm elections, especially amid widespread dissatisfaction with political leadership and concerns about the state of the economy.
According to Gallup, only 24 percent of Americans are satisfied with the direction of the country, reflecting a deep sense of unease after the longest federal government shutdown in history and persistent affordability challenges.
What To Know
According to the poll, Trump's approval rating is 36 percent, matching his second-term low with the pollster. This figure is more than 10 percentage points higher than the approval rating for Democrats in Congress, which sits at a historic low of 24 percent. Republicans in Congress are slightly more popular, with a 29 percent approval rating.
The poll shows that Republicans in Congress have scored a lower approval rating in previous polls, "but congressional Democrats' current rating is lower than any prior Gallup measurement." However, the pollster says: "Historical comparisons are complicated because Gallup has not measured approval of the parties in Congress since February 2020."
Congressional job approval overall remains low at 17 percent, and within their own parties, only 49 percent of Democrats approve of their party's performance in Congress compared to 69 percent of Republicans back theirs, the poll shows.
CNN's Chief Data Analyst Harry Enten previously noted Democrats' lagging numbers, citing another poll last week on X: "Cong Dems now have a -55 net approval, an all-time low & lower than the Dead Sea. 2 causes: Dems gives them a -6 pt net approval(!), & they're at -61 pts with indies! The effect? Dems lead on the generic ballot is less than half of what it was at this pt in the 06 & 18 cycles."
What People Are Saying
Columbia University professor Robert Y. Shapiro told Newsweek via email on Monday: "This is the continuing bad news on health care subsidies, steady high prices, the Epstein documents and the seeming cover-up, and the bombing of boats allegedly carrying drugs is more disruption and not helping, and the same for the ICE arrests of people who are far from violent criminals."
President Donald Trump on Truth Social on Friday: "Democrats Approval numbers in Congress are the Worst Ever - Negative 55 Points! Harry Enten."
What Happens Next
The months ahead could see continued volatility in presidential and congressional approval ratings as economic pressures persist and the 2026 midterm elections approach.
Be a good human. Grossly derogatory comments, blatantly inflammatory comments, excessive trolling, mean-spirited taunting and insults, scamming, spamming, and off topic comments may be removed in compliance with the site's Terms of Service and the Code of Conduct. The moderators have the final word.
The midterms are shaping up to be an unpopularity contest.
Perhaps, but I find it interesting that there has been some real pushback from Republicans in states like Indiana, Kansas, Nebraska, and New Hampshire on Trump's desire for mid-decade redistricting to try and gain or protect seats in the 2026 midterms. Republican redistricting efforts were also shot down in Ohio and Utah. Efforts are also stalled in Florida. In Texas it looks like the Supreme Court will likely allow the redistricting for the 2026 midterm, but the battle is not over.
So now mainly Democratic states, most-notably California, are pursuing heavy gerrymandering efforts ahead of the 2026 midterm and also the presidential election in 2028. They are trying to do it in Virginia and New York as well despite the fact they need constitutional amendments there. Maryland and Illinois are also seriously considering such gerrymandering.
So state Republicans are balking at and blocking Trump's mid-term redistricting tactics, but blue states are gladly foaming at the mouth to use gerrymandering as a mid-term weapon. Can we spell "hypocrisy"?
It was always thus.
Trumps fitness for office should not be based on a popularity contest.
I agree. But Trump is not on the ballot next year. And the polling data suggests there is a real risk planning for a referendum on Trump during the midterms.
The referendum would be on the Trump enablers.
Trump will be IMPEACHED for his multiple crimes, mental decline, cruelty, refusal to abide by Court Rulings, complete and total ignorance of the Constitution of the United States, monitoring his office for personal financial gain, and total disregard for the RULE OF LAW!
I don't see Democrats taking the Senate with a supermajority. Chuck Schumer leading Senate Democrats dims hope of taking the Senate. Have you noticed that Hakeem Jefferies is beginning to sound more & more like Trump?
And I'd be a little reticent throwing "rule of law" around with Tim Walz's mishandling of the Somali fraud. What did Kamala know and when did she know it?