Trump's Approval Rating Trends Up With Women, New Poll Shows
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President Donald Trump's approval rating with women has trended back upward in a new poll released by The Economist and YouGov on Tuesday.
Why It Matters
Trump has routinely touted positive approval ratings and polling. Declines in these numbers could hinder his political clout in an already highly polarized climate as the 2026 midterms approach.
When Trump returned to the White House in January, he coasted in with high approval figures. But after months marked by economic uncertainty and criticism that his administration has faced over policies like his handling of immigration and the "big beautiful bill," Trump has seen a decline.
The volatile nature of approval polls can help paint a picture of the landscape heading into the 2026 midterm elections, where Democrats hope to regain control of the House and Senate.
Approval ratings among gender blocs could ultimately shape party strategy and next year's outcomes. Women historically have influenced competitive national and congressional races, and shifts in their aggregate approval of presidents have affected party prospects.
What To Know
In the poll released on Tuesday, Trump's approval rating among the key voting bloc is 39 percent. In a previous survey by the pollster the week before, it was 35 percent.
Tuesday's poll was taken from August 9 to August 11 among 1,635 U.S. adult citizens, with a 3.5 percent margin of error.
In earlier weeks, the president's approval with women hovered around 37 percent and dipped to 34 percent in a poll taken from July 4 to July 7. The last time Trump's approval rating with women was 39 percent or higher was in a poll taken from May 23 to May 26, when it hit 40 percent.
Previously during the summer months, the president was getting lower approval ratings with women.
Trump's overall approval rating in Tuesday's poll is 42 percent versus a 54 percent disapproval mark.
President Donald Trump fields questions from reporters after speaking on economic data in the Oval Office on August 7 in Washington, D.C. (Photo by)
President Donald Trump fields questions from reporters after speaking on economic data in the Oval Office on August 7 in Washington, D.C. (Photo by)
What People Are Saying
Columbia University professor Robert Y. Shapiro, to Newsweek via email Tuesday: "I would not make any big deal of this. With so many polls being done, results that look like outliers or noteworthy changes need to be treated as possible due to normal sampling error, where you can get what looks like an outlier one out of twenty times. If that lower number persists, that is a different story, and it should be taken more seriously and the reason for it may by then become more apparent."
Political analyst Craig Agranoff previously told Newsweek via text message in July: "President Trump's approval rating dropping to 34% among women, as recent polls indicate, is a significant concern for his administration, given women's substantial influence as a voting bloc.
"This low figure likely reflects dissatisfaction with his rhetoric and policies on issues like reproductive rights & economic equity, which resonate deeply with many women. It's not quite a crisis, but it's a warning sign, especially in a polarized electorate. To make an immediate pivot, Trump could soften his messaging, perhaps by highlighting policies that directly address women's economic or healthcare concerns, like childcare support or workforce protections.
"His track record suggests he's more likely to double down on appealing to his base rather than making a strategic outreach to women voters at the moment."
What Happens Next
Pollsters will continue tracking approval ratings into the 2026 midterm cycle. Minor swings in approval marks among key demographics, including women and independents, could influence campaign messaging and resource allocation for both parties.
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