The President of the United States, Donald Trump, has recorded the worst approval rating of his two terms, according to a survey by The Washington Post, ABC News and the Ipsos center published this Sunday. Fifteen months after returning to the White House, and just six months before the midterm legislative elections, 62% of the American population disapproves of his management.
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The economic effects of the war in Iran alongside Israel – which has pushed the Brent barrel above $100, at 2022 highs, and the gallon of gasoline over $4.5 – have taken a toll on the president. 66% are against his handling of the war, while 76% disapprove of his management of the cost of living, according to the survey.
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These are significant data, as two of his main campaign promises were that he would not involve the U.S. in any new conflict and that he would reduce inflation, which soared after the coronavirus pandemic in 2020 and the Russian invasion of Ukraine in 2022.
Although Trump’s approval has remained around 40% throughout his decade in politics, it has rarely fallen below that figure, which many analysts have considered the floor of his popularity. When he took office in January 2025, Trump’s popularity was booming, around 47%, but it has progressively fallen to the current 37%.
In addition to controversies such as his immigration management, for which two Americans were killed by immigration police agents in Minneapolis (Minnesota), or scandals like the Jeffrey Epstein files, partially published by the Department of Justice, recent events in the Middle East have caused divisions within his MAGA movement, as well as in the Republican Party, which may explain the collapse.
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Although 85% of Republicans still approve of the president, the proportion of registered party voters who strongly approve has fallen. Now 45% rate his management very positively, compared to 53% in the previous survey. Also, his figures among independent voters with a Republican leaning have also reached a new low, at 56%.
Although Trump maintains solid support from Republicans, they show less enthusiasm in the polls
Trump’s best result remains, as throughout his term, the border issue. 45% of the population approves of his policies, according to the survey, although the figure decreases when asked about immigration management in general. With hardline policies against asylum and border militarization, the number of immigrant entries from Mexico was greatly reduced, something valued by voters, but the controversial action of immigration agents inside the country is less popular.
Trump has repeatedly said that if Republicans lose either chamber in the November legislative elections, it will be because his name is not on the ballots. This is how he has justified the poor results in various special elections, for mayor of large cities (such as New York) and governor (Virginia) that have occurred in different states since he came to power. However, the data suggest that his unpopularity could contribute to a Republican electoral collapse.
The Ipsos survey also asks citizens about the November elections, and for the first time Democrats reach a five-point lead in voting intention for the House of Representatives, three points more than in February. If Republicans lose their current majority in either legislative chamber, Democrats will gain veto power over part of Trump’s agenda and will be able to exercise greater control of the government from Congress, including the possibility of voting for a new impeachment, like the two that were already attempted during the president’s first term.
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