Trump’s Approval Hits Historic Lows as His Reckless Policies Backfire

Donald Trump’s return to the presidency has been marked by a steady and sharp decline in public support, culminating in a historically low approval rating averaging just 35 percent, according to CNN’s Poll of Polls. This puts him in the same league as George W. Bush during his most unpopular stretches and signals deep trouble for the Republican Party as the 2026 midterm elections loom.

Trump’s rapid fall from grace began almost immediately after his inauguration in January 2025. His initial approval hovered above 50 percent but quickly dropped as he unleashed a torrent of unilateral actions that alienated large swaths of the electorate. Among the earliest missteps were his sweeping pardons of January 6 defendants, including violent offenders, and the chaotic government cuts overseen by Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency, both of which were widely unpopular.

The next major blow came in April with Trump’s “Liberation Day” announcement of sweeping tariffs that sparked a trade war with much of the world. What started as a curious experiment soon soured public opinion, dragging his approval from 45 to 41 percent within a month. The Supreme Court’s later invalidation of many tariffs did little to repair the damage.

Despite a brief period of relative stability, Trump’s approval nosedived again following the Justice Department’s mishandling of the Epstein files and the Democrats’ strong showing in 2025 gubernatorial races. The administration’s brutal immigration crackdown reached a deadly climax in Minneapolis, where federal agents killed Renee Good and Alex Pretti. The administration’s attempt to blame the victims failed to convince the public, further eroding trust.

Most damaging of all has been Trump’s handling of the ongoing Iran war. With 61 percent of Americans labeling the conflict a “mistake,” Trump’s approval has slipped from 38 to 35 percent since the war’s outbreak. The war has also sent economic approval ratings to new lows, with gas prices soaring above $4 per gallon and 70 percent or more of Americans disapproving of his handling of the cost of living crisis.

Trump’s downfall is anchored in his hubris and poor prioritization. He has ignored the pressing economic struggles of everyday Americans, instead doubling down on divisive policies like tariffs and foreign military interventions that have little public support. Polls show a majority believe he has not done nearly enough to tackle rising prices or address the country’s most urgent problems.

Compounding these issues is a growing perception of incompetence. Once seen as a shrewd businessman capable of running the country, Trump’s ability to manage the executive branch and make sound foreign policy decisions is now widely doubted. Pew Research Center polls reveal that at least 60 percent of Americans lack confidence in his leadership and judgment.

As Trump’s approval ratings hit historic lows, the Republican Party faces a potential reckoning in the 2026 midterms. Voters are clearly fed up with an administration that has prioritized authoritarian overreach and reckless policies over the needs of the American people. The question now is whether the GOP will distance itself from Trump’s toxic legacy or continue down a path that risks electoral disaster.