Donald Trump Approval Rating Turns Negative in Majority of States
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President Donald Trump's approval rating has continued to fall into negative territory across swing states and one major Republican state.
A poll of 24,285 respondents taken by Civiqs between January 20 to May 8 found that the president's net approval rate is less than zero percent in the seven swing states of Pennsylvania, Michigan, Wisconsin, Georgia, North Carolina, Arizona and Nevada.
He also has a negative net approval (-2 percent) in Texas, which Trump won with 56.1 percent of the vote in 2024.
Newsweek contacted the Republican National Committee and Democratic National Committee via email for comment.
Why It Matters
Trump is a lame-duck president, meaning he does not need to care as much about personal polling as he cannot run for a third term. However, as the Republican leader, party members may be concerned that the negative poll numbers will reflect poorly and result in a Democratic landslide in the 2026 midterms.
What To Know
Trump and his administration have used his popular-vote victory in 2024 as proof of a mandate for his wide-sweeping attempts to change the federal government.
The Civiqs poll not only shows Trump's approval rate slumping in the swing states that voted for him and Texas, but that even in some states where the president's approval rate is higher than, or equal to, his disapproval rate, it is still less than 50 percent.
In Florida, Trump's approval and disapproval rates are both at 48 percent. In Ohio, his approval rate is 49 percent and his disapproval rate 47 percent.
President Donald Trump speaks with reporters in front of the West Wing of the White House on May 8, 2025, in Washington.
President Donald Trump speaks with reporters in front of the West Wing of the White House on May 8, 2025, in Washington.
Alex Brandon/AP Photo
The poll also found that Trump has lost his gains with younger voters. Americans aged 18-34 and 35-49 have 63 percent and 58 percent disapproval ratings of Trump, respectively.
The president still has a 51 percent approval rate in ages 50-61 but falls back to 48 percent for ages 65+.
Dr. Thomas Gift, associate professor of political science at University College London, spoke with Newsweek about whether the polling numbers will impact Republicans in 2026.
"Midterm elections historically tend to favor the party out of power," he said. "Combine that with Trump's sagging approval numbers, and Republicans could be bracing for sizable losses in 2026."
Other negative polling about the Trump administration points to how voters believe the president has not done enough to lower costs for consumers, something he said he would do on "Day 1," as his global tariffs have driven up costs for goods across the country and created financial confusion and difficulties for small businesses.
A Navigator Research poll conducted from April 24-28 found that Trump's net approval on the economy has dropped to its lowest point since tracking began. He was at -16 points, with 40 percent approval and 56 percent disapproval.
The president also promised to bring down inflation but now sits at a -29 net approval for that metric, per the same poll.
Less than four months into his presidency, 82 percent of voters are now concerned about a recession, per a Decision Desk HQ/NewsNation poll.
Trump's Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), helmed by SpaceX CEO Elon Musk, has also proved to be unpopular in Democratic and Republican districts.
Republican representatives have been facing angry constituents questioning why DOGE has fired thousands of federal workers, including national park rangers and nuclear scientists.
What People Are Saying
Dr. Thomas Gift told Newsweek: "Most polls show Trump hemorrhaging support among independent voters. While it's hard to attribute this to a single factor, much of the erosion seems tied to a gap between expectations and reality.
"Trump pledged a new "golden age" for America—with cheaper eggs and gas immediately, an end to the war in Ukraine within 24 hours, and sweeping national renewal. When those promises go unfulfilled, some voters will inevitably feel buyer's remorse."
What Happens Next
Despite Trump falling below a 50 percent approval rating in the swing states, 90 percent of Republican poll respondents said they still approve of the president, meaning the party will likely still see loyal voters come out during the mid-terms.
The Democratic Party will look to pick up disappointed Americans from the swing states for the 2028 presidential election.
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