Full Breakdown
Trump’s Approval Ratings Edge Slightly Higher as Midterms Approach, Yet Economy Scores Remain Low
7/18/2026, 11:04:16 AM
Recent Poll Results
A Napolitan News Service poll conducted by RMG Research, Inc. from July 6–14, 2026 of 2,000 registered voters showed President Donald Trump with a 44 % approval and 53 % disapproval, yielding a net rating of -9 percentage points—the best net figure since the April 8-15 poll. The same survey recorded the lowest disapproval level in about three months.
Other July surveys paint a bleaker picture for the economy. The Economist/YouGov poll (July 10-13, 1,616 adults) gave Trump 37 % approval vs. 59 % disapproval, with only 24 % rating the economy as good or excellent. An Echelon Insights poll (July 9-13, 1,004 likely voters) reported 38 % approval and 61 % disapproval, with 35 % approving of his economic handling.
Economic and Foreign-Policy Context
Multiple polls in June and July indicate persistent pessimism about the economy: a CNBC poll (July 8-12, 1,000 voters) found 38 % approval on the economy and a -22 % net rating—the worst economic rating of Trump’s second term. An Associated Press-NORC poll (June 11-17, 3,040 adults) showed 34 % approval of his handling of the Iran war, unchanged from the prior month, while 53 % said U.S. military action against Iran had gone too far.
Official Statements & Responses
White House spokesman Davis Ingle responded to the Napolitan poll:
> “No other President in history has accomplished more for the American people than President Trump, who is working tirelessly to create jobs, cool inflation, increase housing affordability, and more. The President has already made historic progress not only in America but around the world, and this is just the beginning as his agenda continues taking effect.” — Davis Ingle, White House Spokesman
The administration continues to cite easing price pressures and job growth despite the mixed polling.
Criticism & Opposition
Economic indicators remain a focal point of criticism. The CNBC poll noted 61 % of respondents were pessimistic about the economy—the highest level since December 2023. Additionally, a Reuters/Ipsos poll (June 12-15, 1,537 adults) showed only 22 % satisfaction with Trump’s handling of the cost of living, compared with 29 % approval of former President Joe Biden at the end of his term.
These data points suggest that while Trump’s overall approval has inched upward, substantial portions of the electorate remain dissatisfied, particularly regarding economic performance and the ongoing Iran conflict, factors likely to influence the upcoming 2026 congressional midterm elections.
