President Donald Trump’s Approval Rating Drops to 30% as Economic Pessimism Deepens

A June 16-20 survey by American Research Group (ARG) of 1,100 adults shows President Donald Trump’s overall approval at 30 percent, with 66 percent disapproving. Economic handling fares worse, with only 26 percent approving and 70 percent disapproving. The same ARG series recorded 38 percent approval in June 2025 and 31 percent in May 2026, indicating a steady decline.

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Trump’s rating has slipped from a high of 40 percent in June 2018, his first term, to the current low. The decline coincides with rising public belief that the United States is already in a recession—65 percent of respondents say so—despite mixed macro-economic indicators. Historically, presidents entering a midterm cycle with approval below 40 percent have faced significant electoral headwinds.

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• Overall approval: 30 % ARG; disapproval: 66 %

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• Economic approval: 26 % approve, 70 % disapprove

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• Party breakdown: Republicans 67 % approve, 31 % disapprove; Democrats 1 % approve, 98 % disapprove; Independents 25 % approve, 69 % disapprove

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• Economic outlook: 73 % say the national economy is getting worse; 75 % expect it to worsen further in a year

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• Personal finances: 69 % rate their situation as bad or terrible; 73 % say household finances are worsening; 68 % expect personal finances to decline over the next year

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The poll arrives as both parties position for the 2026 midterm elections, where voter perceptions of the economy are expected to dominate. Independent voters, whose approval mirrors the overall 30 % figure, could be decisive. Sustained low approval may translate into congressional losses for the party in power.

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White House spokesman Davis Ingle dismissed the ARG findings, emphasizing the 2024 election result as the definitive mandate. He asserted that the administration’s policies are already producing outcomes and described the current moment as the beginning of the president’s agenda’s impact.

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Economic pessimism extends beyond partisan lines. Among the 66 % who disapprove of Trump’s performance, 82 % believe the economy will worsen further. Even among his supporters, confidence has eroded: only 13 % of those who still approve expect economic improvement, compared with 46 % in February 2025.

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Other recent national surveys place Trump’s approval in the mid-30s: NPR/PBS News/Marist (36 %), AP-NORC (37 %), New York Times average (39 %), CNN’s Poll of Polls (37 %). The ARG poll shows a lower 30 % figure, highlighting a discrepancy that may stem from methodology or timing. No detailed demographic breakdown beyond party affiliation is provided.

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• “The ultimate poll was November 5, 2024, when nearly 80 million Americans overwhelmingly elected him.” — Davis Ingle, White House spokesman

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• “this is just the beginning” — Davis Ingle, White House spokesman

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The 2026 midterm elections will test whether the current approval trend translates into electoral outcomes.

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