How do Trump's approval ratings compare to other US presidents?

1. Summary of the results

Based on the comprehensive analyses provided, Donald Trump's approval ratings consistently rank among the lowest of modern U.S. presidents across multiple metrics and time periods. The data reveals several key patterns that distinguish Trump's approval trajectory from his predecessors.

Trump's approval ratings demonstrate historically poor performance when compared to other modern presidents at equivalent points in their administrations. During September of his first year in office, Trump's approval rating was lower than any other modern president at the same time in their administrations ^[1]. Specific comparative data shows Trump at 40% approval, significantly trailing other presidents like George W. Bush at 76%, Barack Obama at 52%, and Joe Biden at 43% during similar periods ^[1].

The first 100 days comparison provides another stark illustration of Trump's relative standing. Trump's rating of 41% following his first 100 days was lower than most other presidents listed in historical comparisons ^[2]. This early performance indicator has proven predictive of his overall approval trajectory throughout his presidency.

Trump's inaugural approval rating was historically low, establishing him as the lowest-rated new president since 1953 ^[3]. This pattern continued throughout his tenure, with Trump spending almost his entire first term with a negative net approval score ^[4]. His current net approval rating stands at -14, which contrasts sharply with most presidents who typically begin their terms with positive net approval ratings ^[4].

The consistency of these low ratings across different polling organizations and time periods reinforces the reliability of these comparative assessments. Both of Trump's terms began with mixed reviews, a pattern that distinguishes him from the typical presidential approval trajectory ^[4].

2. Missing context/alternative viewpoints

While the analyses provide substantial comparative data, several important contextual elements warrant consideration. The sources focus primarily on numerical comparisons without exploring the underlying factors that may have contributed to these approval rating differences.

Historical context regarding external circumstances during different presidencies is notably absent. For instance, George W. Bush's 76% approval rating occurred during the post-9/11 rally-around-the-flag effect, while other presidents may have benefited from different national circumstances that naturally boosted their ratings.

The analyses also lack discussion of partisan polarization trends that may have intensified during Trump's presidency compared to earlier eras. Modern political polarization could mean that approval ratings operate within different parameters than they did for presidents from previous decades.

Methodological considerations about polling accuracy and changes in polling techniques over time are not addressed. The media landscape and information consumption patterns have evolved significantly, potentially affecting how approval ratings are measured and interpreted across different presidential eras.

Additionally, the sources don't explore regional variations in approval ratings or examine how Trump's ratings performed among different demographic groups compared to other presidents. This granular analysis could provide important nuance to the overall comparative picture.

3. Potential misinformation/bias in the original statement

The original question itself appears neutral and factual in nature, simply requesting a comparison of approval ratings without making claims that could constitute misinformation. However, the framing could potentially lead to incomplete understanding if not properly contextualized.

The question's neutrality might mask underlying assumptions about what approval ratings represent or their predictive value for presidential effectiveness or electoral success. Without proper context, readers might interpret approval ratings as definitive measures of presidential success rather than snapshots of public opinion influenced by numerous variables.

Potential bias could emerge in how the results are interpreted rather than in the question itself. The data consistently shows Trump's lower comparative performance, but this factual information could be weaponized by different political perspectives to either criticize or defend Trump's presidency.

The analyses themselves appear to rely on reputable polling organizations like Gallup, which suggests the underlying data is methodologically sound. However, the absence of publication dates for most sources ^{[5] [1] [6] [2] [3]} makes it difficult to assess whether the information reflects the most current available data or historical snapshots that might not capture recent developments.

The consistency across multiple independent sources strengthens the reliability of the comparative assessment, suggesting that Trump's relatively low approval ratings represent a well-documented historical pattern rather than selective reporting or biased analysis.