Republican voters are already raising their doubts about this.
President Donald Trump is trailing Democratic Senator Mark Kelly in a newly released national popularity ranking, according to fresh polling data—fueling renewed debate over media narratives, partisan politics, and the impact of ongoing legal and military controversies.
The latest Q4 2025 rankings from the polling firm YouGov show Trump ranked 18th among America’s most recognizable political figures, with 33 percent of respondents expressing a favorable view. Kelly placed slightly higher at 16th, earning a 34 percent positive rating.
While the difference is narrow, the shift comes at a moment of intense political tension between the Trump administration and Senate Democrats.
Polling Shift Follows Military Dispute
The updated rankings arrive after a high-profile clash between Kelly and the Department of Defense. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth formally censured the Arizona senator and initiated steps to reduce his retired Navy rank and pension.
The move followed a video in which Kelly suggested service members could refuse what he characterized as unlawful orders—a claim the administration strongly disputed.
Kelly has since filed a federal lawsuit, alleging the Trump administration is retaliating against him for constitutionally protected speech. Democrats have seized on the lawsuit as evidence of political targeting, while supporters of the administration argue that accountability applies equally to all former officers.
Reversal From Earlier Polling
The new numbers represent a reversal from YouGov’s Q3 2025 report. At that time, Trump ranked 13th with a 35 percent favorable rating, while Kelly placed 20th with just 30 percent.
Analysts note that short-term polling swings often follow heavy media coverage, especially during periods of legal disputes or national security debates.
Despite the drop, Trump remains one of the most dominant figures in American politics. He scored a 98 percent “fame” rating, meaning nearly all respondents recognized his name. Kelly’s name recognition stood at 63 percent.
Broader Political Context
Former President Barack Obama topped YouGov’s Q4 rankings with a 60 percent favorable score, followed by Senator Bernie Sanders at 54 percent and former California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger at 52 percent.
Kelly’s recent rise in popularity also coincides with coordinated criticism from multiple Democratic lawmakers over Trump-era military actions, including domestic troop deployments. Those comments sparked fierce pushback from the White House and Pentagon officials.
In public remarks, Kelly described himself as a lifelong public servant and warned that disciplinary actions against him could discourage veterans from speaking openly about government policy.
Administration officials responded that retired officers receiving pay remain subject to military standards and that public statements encouraging refusal of lawful orders cross a serious line.
What Comes Next
Legal scholars remain divided, with some arguing the case raises separation-of-powers concerns, while others emphasize the importance of maintaining military discipline regardless of political office.
YouGov says its rankings are based on daily surveys of U.S. adults and adjusted using demographic weighting to reflect census data. The firm’s next set of ratings, expected in spring 2026, may reveal whether the current shift reflects a lasting change—or simply a temporary reaction driven by controversy and nonstop media coverage.
For many conservative voters, the numbers reinforce a familiar pattern: when President Trump takes decisive action, Democrats and the media respond aggressively—often shaping short-term polling, but not necessarily long-term political reality.