President Donald Trump woke up Friday to headlines the mainstream media could barely contain their excitement over.
A new Gallup survey claims his approval rating has dipped to 36%, marking the lowest point of his second term and the lowest number since he returned to the Oval Office in January.
The media instantly blasted the number across every network—but a closer look shows a far more complicated—and political—story.
A Poll Democrats Are Celebrating — But Americans Are Still Hurting
Gallup reported that 60% disapprove of Trump’s performance, though the same poll shows the nation still deeply divided and frustrated over soaring prices, safety concerns, and global instability.
Trump had consistently hovered between 40% and 41% for months, meaning the latest dip comes after weeks of nonstop negative coverage and Democrat fear-mongering as the 2026 midterms approach.
For context, Trump’s lowest Gallup rating ever—34%—came in early 2021 when the nation was still overwhelmed by political chaos and nonstop media attacks.
Republican Support Softens, Independents Feeling the Squeeze
Support among Republicans remains extremely strong at 84%, even after a seven-point drop since late October.
Independents, however—who are getting crushed by inflation, high interest rates, and economic uncertainty—shifted down to 25%, a drop from 33%.
Pollsters admit concerns about affordability and economic pressure played a major role.
Where Trump Still Performs Strongest
Despite the overall number, Americans gave Trump higher marks on the issues that matter most:
- Crime: 43% approval
- Foreign Affairs: 41% approval
- Trade: 39% approval
These remain key strengths for Trump, especially among older voters who prioritize law-and-order leadership and strong national security.
However, approval on the economy (36%) and immigration (37%) dipped—likely reflecting ongoing frustration with the border crisis and the rising cost of living.
Health care marked Trump’s lowest number at 30%, long a challenging area for every administration.
Where the Poll Says Approval Dropped Most
Gallup highlighted several areas where Trump’s numbers declined since earlier this year:
- Immigration: –9 points
- Middle East policy: –7 points
- Economy: –6 points
- Federal budget: –12 points
- Ukraine conflict: –10 points
Many of these drops coincide with Democrats pushing aggressive narratives on foreign policy, the federal budget, and border security—topics they’ve repeatedly tried to weaponize against the Trump administration.
Israel, Ukraine, and Global Conflicts Driving Voter Concern
Trump received 33% approval for his handling of Israel’s war against Hamas and 31% for his response to the Russia-Ukraine conflict.
Older Americans—especially veterans—continue to voice concerns about global instability, the strain on the U.S. military, and growing threats abroad.
Media Attacks Against Trump Hitting New Levels
As Trump’s numbers dipped, the media’s attacks intensified.
Earlier this month, Trump clashed with an ABC News reporter who repeatedly interrupted him, prompting him to respond, “Quiet, piggy.”
Following the tragic shooting of two National Guardsmen in Washington, D.C., Trump confronted another reporter pressing him about DHS vetting failures tied to an Afghan national now charged with murder. Trump bluntly called her “a stupid person.”
Conservative voters saw both exchanges as Trump refusing to bow to a biased press corps that has openly worked against him since day one.
Gallup Warns the GOP — But Voters Will Decide Next Year
Gallup suggested declining approval numbers—combined with Republican losses in several 2025 races—could pose a challenge heading into the 2026 midterms.
But Trump has already shifted the GOP’s messaging, calling the Left’s affordability narrative “a con job by the Democrats,” and highlighting how blue-state policies have fueled crime, homelessness, border chaos, and historic levels of inflation.
Conservative strategists argue that the more voters focus on real-world issues—not media punditry—the more advantage shifts back to Trump.
Survey Details
- Date: November 3–25
- Respondents: 1,321 adults
- Margin of Error: ±4 percentage points