Donald Trump’s latest approval rating sits at 40%—one of the lowest for any modern US president, with stark comparisons to Obama, Bush, and Reagan.
New polling numbers show Donald Trump facing some of the weakest approval ratings in modern U.S. history. Now eight months into his second term, the 79-year-old president is struggling to break out of the low 40s—a sharp contrast to past presidents who enjoyed much stronger support at this stage.
National Polling Numbers
The latest Gallup national survey places Trump at 40% approval and 56% disapproval. Since 1938, U.S. presidents have averaged around 52% approval—well above Trump’s current standing.
During his first term, Trump averaged 41%, and his second term so far has inched up only slightly to 42%. His highest point this year was 47% in January, but he sank to a low of 37% in July.
Party Line Divide
Trump’s support remains heavily polarized:
Republicans: 93% approve
Independents: 35% approve
Democrats: Just 1% approve
This sharp partisan split reflects Trump’s ability to dominate the GOP base while failing to win over middle-ground voters.
State-Level Results
According to Morning Consult’s September update, Trump holds positive approval ratings in only 25 states, down from 27 the month before.
Swing States: Georgia is the only battleground still leaning Trump, while Arizona sits at an even split and North Carolina and Nevada have flipped negative.
Strongholds: Wyoming tops the list at 62% approval, followed by Idaho, West Virginia, and South Dakota (60%).
Weak States: Vermont shows a 36-point disapproval gap, one of Trump’s worst state ratings.
Compared to Past Presidents
When stacked against past leaders, Trump’s numbers look grim:
Barack Obama: 53% approval (2009)
George W. Bush: 56% (2001)
Ronald Reagan: 60% (1981)
Jimmy Carter: 63% (1977)
Trump, meanwhile, sat at just 36% in 2017 and 40% this August—lower than any modern president at the same stage of their term.
What It Means
Despite consistently poor numbers outside his base, Trump remains unfazed. He continues to present himself as a political fighter who defies traditional metrics. But these polls give his critics more ammunition, painting a picture of a president locked into party loyalty but struggling in the broader national landscape.
Featured Image Credit: Kevin Dietsch/Getty
