President Donald Trump started November facing mounting challenges after election day and as the government shutdown stretched on, resulting in further declines in his presidential approval rating.
Democrats swept in the Nov. 4 elections, with wins in the New York mayoral race and the gubernatorial races in Virginia and New Jersey.
In the Dems’ wins, voters seemed to rebuke President Donald Trump in the first ballot box judgment of his return to power. Trump acknowledged Republicans underperformed, and some conservatives also pointed out the races were in blue states that Trump lost in 2024.
With pressure building in Congress, Trump continued to blame Democrats for the budget impasse that has turned into the longest shutdown in government history. It has had wide ranging effects felt by many Americans including cuts to welfare benefits and massive delays and security concerns at airports.
Here’s what to know about Trump’s approval rating, including how they are decided and how Trump’s ratings compare with his first term and past presidents.
What is Donald Trump’s approval rating?
Here are the latest approval ratings released about Trump’s administration:
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Real Clear Polling’s average of polls from Oct. 24 to Nov. 6 shows a 42.9 approval and 54.2 disapproval rate.
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According to the most recent Gallup poll, Trump’s job approval rating was at 41%.
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A Reuters/Ipsos poll from Oct. 24 to Oct. 26 reported that 40% of those surveyed gave him a favorable approval rating of his performance in office and 57% gave an unfavorable rating.
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The New York Times daily average of polls showed a 42% approval and 55% disapproval as of Nov. 7.
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The Economist shows that 39% of people are favorable of Trump and 58% are unfavorable of him, according to the latest update from Nov. 7.
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The Rasmussen Reports poll from Nov. 7 showed 46% approval and 53% disapproval of Trump.
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How does Trump’s approval rating compare with his 1st term?
Trump had a final approval rating of 34% when he left office in 2021. His approval average during his first term was 41%.
How does Trump’s approval rating compare with past presidents?
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Donald Trump (first term) – 34%
Are presidential approval ratings accurate?
Data agency Gallup notes that these approval ratings are a “simple measure, yet a very powerful one that has played a key role in politics for over 70 years.”
A president’s approval rating reflects the percentage of Americans polled who approve of the president’s performance. Anything can impact a president’s rating, such as legislation passed, actions and elections.
According to ABC News, an approval rating doesn’t just represent how well the administration is doing for the general public, but could determine the outcome of an upcoming election for a politician or how much they get done during their time in office.
While these ratings are easy to understand, Quorum says some analysts believe they are not as useful as they once were due to extreme partisanship and the polarized political climate.
“Presidential approval ratings have always been partisan, with members of the president’s party offering more positive assessments than those in the opposing party,” according to the Pew Research Center. “But the differences between Republicans and Democrats on views of the president have grown substantially in recent decades.”
USA TODAY Network reporters Maria Francis and Kinsey Crowley contributed to this article.
This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Donald Trump’s approval rating: See the latest polls
