8.28.25
President Donald Trump continues to polarize the electorate, with new polling showing the gap between his approval and disapproval ratings widening as voters' "strong opinions" of the president harden. Trump has routinely touted positive approval ratings and polling while speaking at news conferences and campaign rallies, but the figures suggest that Trump remains a figure about whom few Americans have weak opinions, and show just how polarized the electorate has become. With opposition far outpacing support, particularly among Democrats and very liberal voters, Trump faces an uphill battle to expand his base beyond a loyal Republican base. Among Americans with strong views of Trump, disapproval now far outpaces approval. Forty-seven percent strongly disapprove of his performance—more than double the 23 percent who strongly approve. The divide is sharply partisan: 83 percent of Democrats strongly disapprove of Trump, compared with 54 percent of Republicans who strongly approve. Similarly, 95 percent of "very liberal" Americans strongly disapprove, while 72 percent of "very conservative" voters strongly approve. The change is reflected across party lines. In January, 71 percent of Republicans strongly approved of Trump's performance; today that number is 54 percent. Meanwhile, the share of Democrats who strongly disapprove has climbed from 71 percent to 83 percent.
Newsweek's tracker shows Trump's net approval rating has dropped to its lowest point on record at -11 points. Recent polls have suggested that such discontent with Trump is being driven by voters' views on a number of issues, including the economy, inflation, immigration and foreign policy. The latest Echelon Insights survey, conducted between August 14-18, showed Trump underwater on every major issue. Pollster G Elliott Morris' tracker also shows Trump underwater on every issue, after having been above water at the beginning of his second term in January, as does the most recent YouGov/Economist polling. On jobs and the economy, Trump's strongest field, 39 percent approve while 54 percent disapprove, leaving him with a net negative standing despite his emphasis on economic stewardship. And Inflation and prices remain a major political liability. Just 34 percent approve of his handling of the issue compared to 61 percent who disapprove—the widest margin in the dataset. With 47 percent strongly disapproving, this issue underscores a central vulnerability for Trump.
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