See where Trump’s approval rating stands in US, PA heading into 2026

Trump Approval Ratings Show Mixed Signals as 2026 Begins

Breaking into the new year, a mosaic of public opinion polls paints a mixed picture for President Donald Trump. Across national trackers and key states, Americans weigh the economy, inflation, and policy choices as 2026 unfolds.

Breaking Developments

The Economist’s latest national tracker,released on January 2,2026,shows 39 percent favorable and 56 percent unfavorably disposed toward President Trump,with 4 percent unsure.

A January 2, 2026 New York Times poll places support at 42 percent and opposition at 54 percent, underscoring a similar tilt in a different polling methodology.

Nationwide Snapshot From Major Polls

Multiple outlets report a broad range of sentiment, reflecting variations in methodology and sample. For instance, a late-December survey from Rasmussen recorded 44 percent favorable and 56 percent unfavorable. Morning Consult’s December 22, 2025 tracker stood at 45 percent favorable and 52 percent unfavorable. Reuters/Ipsos, in mid-December 2025, logged 39 percent favorable and 59 percent unfavorable. Gallup’s early december 2025 readings showed 36 percent favorable and 59 percent unfavorable, with 5 percent offering no opinion.

Where Trump Stands Across Pennsylvania

State-level data through January 1, 2026 indicate a persistent gap in Pennsylvania, where net approval sits negative. About 55 percent disapprove of the president’s performance, while roughly 40 percent approve. Demographic breakdowns reveal sharper disapproval among younger voters and broader disparities across education, gender, and party lines.

Evergreen takeaways

Economy and affordability continue to dominate voters’ concerns, shaping Trump’s standing in the polls. His policy repertoire—tariffs, health-care spending, and large-scale infrastructure ambitions—remains a focal point of debate. The wide variance across polls highlights how voter sentiment shifts with economic data and political events.

Readers should view poll results as a snapshot in time, with trends evolving as new data emerge. Tracking inflation, job growth, and consumer prices will be essential to understanding how public opinion may move in the coming months.

Poll Snapshot Table

Source	Date	Favorable	unfavorable	Not Sure / No Opinion
The Economist	2026-01-02	39%	56%	4%
New York Times	2026-01-02	42%	54%	—
Rasmussen	2025-12-31	44%	56%	—
Morning Consult	2025-12-22	45%	52%	—
Reuters/Ipsos	2025-12-15	39%	59%	—
Gallup	2025-12-01 to 12-15	36%	59%	5%

What Varied Polls Tell Us

Differences in sampling, question phrasing, and timing help explain why margins shift from one poll to another. Even with divergent findings,the overarching thread is a president whose support remains fragile amid economic concerns and policy controversies.

For readers following long-term trends, monitor how inflation, interest rates, and job creation progress in the months ahead, as those factors are likely to influence public sentiment more than any single poll.

engagement

What issue should dominate the national discourse in 2026? Do you trust current polling numbers, or do you prefer looking at multiple sources over time to gauge sentiment? Share your views in the comments below.

Note: Poll results change over time and vary by methodology. This summary provides a cross-section of recent national and state-level data.

2024 Election Cycle: Post‑election dip to 36 % after teh contested results; rebound to 44 % by late 2025 as media narratives softened.

national Approval Rating – 2026 Snapshot

poll Source	Survey Period	Sample Size	Approval %	Disapproval %	Undecided %
Gallup	Jan 1‑15 2026	1,200 adults (nationwide)	45	53	2
Pew Research Center	Dec 2025	1,500 adults	44	54	2
YouGov	Oct‑Nov 2025	2,100 adults (online)	46	51	3

– Overall trend: Trump’s approval has stabilized around the mid‑40 % range, a modest rise from the 38‑% low recorded in mid‑2024 after the presidential election.

• Demographic split: 62 % of Republican‑identified voters approve, while only 21 % of independents and 12 % of Democrats do.
• Geographic hotspots: Higher approval in the Midwest (Indiana, Ohio) and the South (Texas, Tennessee), with lower scores in the Northeast (Massachusetts, New York).

pennsylvania Approval Rating – State Viewpoint

Poll Source	Survey Period	Sample Size	Approval %	Disapproval %	Undecided %
Quinnipiac University	Dec 2025	1,100 PA adults	48	47	5
Rasmussen reports	Nov 2025	800 PA adults (telephone)	46	49	5
Monmouth University (PA‑focused)	Sep‑Oct 2025	850 adults	49	45	6

– Swing‑state dynamics: Pennsylvania’s rating hovers just above the 50 % threshold that separates “lean‑Trump” from “lean‑Biden” territory, making it a crucial bellwether for the 2026 mid‑term contests.

• County breakdown: Rural counties (e.g., Lancaster, Somerset) show approval rates above 60 %; urban centers (Philadelphia, Allegheny) remain under 30 %. Suburban counties (e.g., Montgomery, Bucks) sit in the 40‑45 % range, reflecting a gradual shift toward moderate republican positions.

Trend Analysis: 2020‑2026

1. 2020‑2022: Approval peaked at 55 % during the early pandemic response, then dipped to 38 % following the 2021 Capitol insurrection.
2. 2022‑2024: A steady climb back to 42 % as Trump capitalized on economic concerns and cultural issues.
3. 2024 Election Cycle: Post‑election dip to 36 % after the contested results; rebound to 44 % by late 2025 as media narratives softened.
4. 2025‑2026: Stabilization around 45 % nationally; Pennsylvania maintains a slight edge (+3 pp) due to strong grassroots association.

Key drivers of the trend

• Economic perception: 68 % of respondents who approve cite “strong economy under Trump’s policies” as a primary factor.
• media exposure: Negative coverage in major networks correlates with a 4‑point decrease in approval among younger voters (18‑34).
• Legal proceedings: Ongoing investigations have a mixed impact—27 % of Republicans view them as political persecution, while 35 % of independents see them as a liability.

Factors Influencing Trump’s Rating in 2026

• Policy legacy: Tax cuts, deregulation, and judiciary appointments continue to resonate with conservative voters.
• Cultural polarization: Stances on immigration,education,and “law‑and‑order” remain rallying points for his base.
• Opposition strategy: Democratic messaging around climate action and voting rights has narrowed the gap among suburban voters.
• Grassroots mobilization: The “Patriots for America” network reports a 22 % increase in volunteer recruitment across Pennsylvania as 2024.

Implications for the 2026 Election Landscape

• House races: In Pennsylvania’s 7th congressional district, a Trump‑aligned Republican candidate enjoys a 5‑point advantage over a Democratic challenger, translating to a projected 52‑48 % win probability (Sabato’s Crystal Ball, Jan 2026).
• Senate outlook: The state’s Senate seat remains competitive; with Trump’s 48 % approval, the GOP candidate is polling at 49 % versus 46 % for the Democrat, indicating a tight race contingent on turnout in rural counties.
• Mid‑term swing states: pennsylvania, Wisconsin, and Michigan are projected as “toss‑ups” by FiveThirtyEight’s 2026 forecast, largely driven by Trump’s lingering influence on Republican voter enthusiasm.

Practical tips for Campaign Strategists

1. Target suburban swing voters

• Deploy digital ads emphasizing “economic stability” and “moderate conservatism.”
• Host town‑hall events focusing on education reforms, a topic where 38 % of suburban voters show openness to bipartisan solutions.

2. Leverage grassroots networks

• Coordinate with the “Patriots for America” volunteer base to increase door‑to‑door canvassing in counties with >55 % approval.
• Use data‑driven micro‑targeting to identify undecided voters (5‑6 % in PA) and tailor messaging to local issues (e.g., infrastructure, job training).

3. Monitor legal developments

• Prepare rapid‑response statements to mitigate potential approval drops stemming from court rulings or indictments.
• Highlight “due process” narratives to maintain support among the 62 % of Republican voters who view investigations as politically motivated.

4. optimize media mix

• prioritize right‑leaning talk radio in rural areas, while investing in TikTok and Instagram Reels for younger audiences to counteract negative mainstream coverage.
• Conduct weekly sentiment analysis using tools like Brandwatch to adjust messaging in real time.

Real‑World Example: 2025 Pennsylvania Primary

• Candidate: Rep. Jason miller (R‑PA) leveraged Trump’s 48 % state approval by aligning his platform with “Trump‑style economic policies.”
• Outcome: Won the primary with 57 % of the vote, outperforming his closest rival by 14 percentage points.
• Takeaway: Direct association with Trump’s approval rating can translate into measurable electoral advantage in Pennsylvania’s competitive districts.

Sources

1. Gallup, “Donald Trump Approval Rating – January 2026,” accessed Jan 8 2026.
2. Pew Research Center, “Public Opinion on Former president Trump, December 2025,” accessed Jan 8 2026.
3. YouGov, “Trump Popularity Tracker, Q4 2025,” accessed Jan 8 2026.
4. Quinnipiac University Poll, “Pennsylvania Voter Attitudes – December 2025,” accessed Jan 8 2026.
5. Rasmussen Reports, “Trump Support in Pennsylvania – November 2025,” accessed Jan 8 2026.
6. Monmouth University, “PA‑Specific Trump Approval – Autumn 2025,” accessed Jan 8 2026.
7. Sabato’s Crystal Ball, “House Race Projections – pennsylvania, 2026,” Jan 5 2026.
8. FiveThirtyEight, “2026 Mid‑Term Forecast – Swing States,” Jan 4 2026.
9. Patriots for America, “Volunteer Recruitment Report 2024‑2025,” internal data, accessed Jan 8 2026.