How does Donald Trump's approval rating compare to other presidents?

1. Where Trump stands now: steady mid‑40s average, recent dips into the high‑30s

Multiple aggregators show Trump’s approval hovering around roughly 40–42% as a multi‑poll average, but individual polls have recorded a second‑term low of 37% in the CNN/SSRS survey and other firms like YouGov and Economist/YouGov listing disapproval in the high 50s and net approval negative (for example, 39% approve / 58% disapprove, net -19) ^{[1] [3] [5] [7]}.

2. Net approval and issue handling: underwater on key items in some trackers

Nate Silver’s Silver Bulletin reports Trump with a net negative approval (about -11 in the RV/LV average and -15.5 among adults) and shows him underwater on issues such as the economy, trade and inflation ^[6]. RealClearPolitics and other aggregates report net approval numbers that have recently been in the negative single‑digits to teens, illustrating disagreement across methodologies ^{[4] [1]}.

3. How that compares historically: below many recent presidents, but context matters

Analysts and outlets note that Trump’s second‑term average (around low‑40s) is “below all other recent presidents dating back to Harry Truman” in some Gallup or aggregated assessments cited by Forbes, while other local reporting places him above certain presidents like Carter and George W. Bush depending on the metric and time window used ^{[2] [8]}. Gallup historical tables and long‑run trackers are the standard for cross‑presidential comparisons, but they depend on which polls are included and the time slices compared ^{[9] [10]}.

4. Timing matters: early months, midterm windows and ‘where in the term’ comparisons

Gallup and other historical analyses emphasize that comparing a president’s approval at a given point requires matching the same point in other presidencies. Reporting finds Trump’s approval in October of his early years was lower than other modern presidents at comparable moments, which is a reason some historians and poll analysts treat his numbers as unusually weak at equivalent points ^{[11] [10]}. Conversely, some longer averages smooth out short‑term dips and show him closer to the mid‑40s.

5. Pollster differences: methodology, sample and question framing change the answer

Different outlets use distinct approaches—some report all‑adults polls, others registered or likely voters, and aggregators weight pollsters differently; Nate Silver’s model, RealClear averages, Reuters/Ipsos, CNN/SSRS and YouGov can therefore yield distinct headline numbers ^{[6] [1] [3] [5]}. That explains why one headline may read “42% average” while another emphasizes a recent CNN low of 37% ^{[2] [3]}.

6. What analysts warn and what voters signal: persistence and partisan floors

Poll commentators, including Ipsos, note modern presidential approval often displays a high partisan floor and low ceiling—durable loyalties that limit dramatic shifts except in exceptional circumstances—soTrump’s approval reflects entrenched support and opposition rather than volatile swings in most cases ^[12]. Still, events like tariffs, shutdowns or other high‑profile episodes have coincided with visible shifts in his ratings in past reporting ^{[12] [13]}.

7. Practical takeaway for comparison questions: use the metric that answers your question

If you want to know “how he compares to presidents overall,” use long‑run Gallup or historical averages (Gallup and historical compilations are often cited) because they apply the same methodology across presidencies ^{[9] [10]}. If you want the latest political moment or electoral implications, follow poll aggregates (RealClear, Reuters/Ipsos, CNN/SSRS) and modelers (Silver Bulletin) that show current variation and likely electoral signals ^{[1] [2] [6]}.

Limitations and unresolved points: available sources disagree on exact figures and time windows; some claims about “below all presidents since Truman” depend on specific Gallup or aggregate calculations and should be read with that methodological caveat ^{[2] [9]}. Sources do not provide a single definitive ranking that is universally accepted—different trackers place Trump relative to other presidents differently depending on methodology and the date range used ^{[6] [1] [2]}.