Recent public opinion polls show that President Donald Trump’s approval ratings are hovering at or near record lows during his second term. A primary driver of these low numbers appears to be widespread public perception that he is using the presidency for personal financial gain.
The specific findings from major polling organizations are detailed below.
Job Approval Ratings
- The New York Times Poll Average: As of October 14, 2026, the national daily average places Trump’s approval rating at 37%. Analysts note this number has remained low and steady for months.
- The Economist / YouGov Tracker: A tracking poll updated as of October 6, 2026, measured Trump’s net approval rating at -26%, with 35% approving and 61% disapproving. This survey highlighted declining support among critical 2024 voting blocks, including Latinos and pension-age voters.
- Reuters / Ipsos: Recent iterations of this poll placed Trump’s approval at a record career low of 32%. His approval at the start of his second term in January 2025 was 47%.
Ethics and Personal Finances
- AP-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research: According to data released on October 13, 2026, 6 in 10 U.S. adults believe Trump is either illegally profiting from the presidency or behaving unethically. Just over half (56%) state that he has prioritized his personal business interests “a lot” since returning to the White House. Only 11% feel he represents regular Americans.
- The Economist / YouGov Poll: Published on October 14, 2026, this poll found that 60% of respondents believe Trump is benefiting personally from holding office. This includes 69% of independents and 94% of Democrats, compared to just 16% of Republicans.
Impact on the 2026 Midterm Elections
With the midterm elections approaching in November 2026, polling averages indicate that Trump’s low approval ratings are dragging down broader support for Republican candidates. A recent NBC News poll found that a historic number of voters consider their upcoming midterm ballot to be an explicit signal of opposition to Trump compared to any other president in the last three decades.
