President Trump’s rare admission of weak public support has been echoed by new polls showing his approval slipping: Reuters/Ipsos at about 36% and AP-NORC at 33%. The AP survey reports just 32% approval for his handling of the Iran war, 30% for the economy and 23% for cost-of-living efforts. Those numbers call into question assumptions about Trump’s loyal "floor" and present the Republican Party with a strategic choice ahead of the midterms: distance themselves or double down.
As Trump’s Approval Hits New Lows, Republicans Face a Strategic Crossroads
President Donald Trump gestures as he speaks to reporters at Joint Base Andrews in Maryland on Sept. 7, 2025.(Mandel Ngan / AFP via Getty Images)
At a White House event a few months ago, President Donald Trump offered a rare moment of candor: "It just amazes me that there's not more support out there." That admission, unusual for a president who typically boasts about his popularity, now looks prophetic as multiple polls show his standing slipping.
"It just amazes me that there's not more support out there." — Donald Trump
Recent national surveys paint a bleak picture for the White House. A Reuters/Ipsos poll put Mr. Trump's approval at about 36%, roughly consistent with the latest NBC News figures. The Associated Press–NORC poll is starker: an overall approval of just 33%, with deep public dissatisfaction on several key issues.
What The Polls Show
The AP-NORC data find only 32% of Americans approve of the president's handling of the war in Iran, 30% approve of his management of the economy, and merely 23% approve of his efforts to address the rising cost of living. The New York Times' polling averages place his approval at roughly 38% and disapproval at 58% — the weakest marks of his second term so far.
The AP-NORC poll notes that Trump's approval on the economy has slipped as the conflict in the Middle East drives prices higher and even some Republicans express waning confidence in his leadership.
Why This Matters For The GOP
Some observers argue approval ratings matter less because Mr. Trump cannot run for a third term. That perspective overlooks an immediate political reality: congressional Republicans are preparing for midterm campaigns while the electorate grows more hostile to a president many GOP lawmakers have publicly embraced.
The central question for Republican strategists is now stark: should they distance themselves from an increasingly unpopular president to protect vulnerable congressional seats, or continue to align with him and risk voter backlash? The answer will shape candidate messaging, fundraising, and campaign tactics ahead of the midterms.
This article updates earlier coverage and synthesizes polling publicly available as of publication.
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