President Donald Trump is facing some of the lowest approval ratings of his second term, according to two new polls. His support has dropped sharply, and even some of his strongest backers seem to be turning away.
Two major polls one by Quinnipiac University and another by the Associated Press and NORC show Trump’s approval rating at just 38% and 39%, respectively. That means less than 4 in 10 Americans think he’s doing a good job. In both polls, over half of respondents said they disapprove of the way he’s handling the presidency.
CNN’s chief data expert, Harry Enten, described these numbers as “awful, awful, awful” and said they are the worst Trump has seen since beginning his second term. He explained that public opinion has likely been influenced by Trump’s recent tough stance on immigration.
Over the past couple of weeks, Trump sent thousands of National Guard troops and hundreds of Marines into Los Angeles to deal with protests sparked by his stricter immigration policies. But rather than gaining support for this move, it appears to have backfired. His approval rating on immigration, once one of his strongest areas, has dropped by six points.
Political experts say this drop in approval reflects growing public frustration. Voters are worried about how Trump is handling immigration, the economy, and ongoing global issues like the wars in Ukraine and the Middle East. According to Costas Panagopoulos, a political science professor, many voters feel there’s a lack of control and clarity in Trump’s administration.
Grant Davis Reeher, another professor, said that while some people may agree with sending in troops to calm violent protests, many are uncomfortable with how aggressive the response has been. He added that this political frustration could give Democrats a chance to win back seats in Congress in the 2026 midterms but only if they can present a clear and appealing alternative to Trump and the Republican Party.
Looking ahead, Trump’s approval could continue to drop or bounce back depending on how things unfold especially in cities like Los Angeles where tensions remain high. For now, these polls show a clear message from many Americans: they’re unhappy with how things are going.
