Trump's Second Term Approval Ratings Remain Static Amid Key Challenges

Thu Jan 15 2026 17:04:17 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

Despite a tumultuous second term filled with significant events, President Trump's approval ratings remain steady at about 40%, highlighting ongoing public skepticism about his priorities, particularly concerning the economy and immigration.

An AP-NORC poll indicates that President Donald Trump's approval rating has remained largely unchanged at around 40% since his reelection. While the president has faced various challenges, including handling the economy and immigration, many Americans question his focus on foreign interventions. Approval ratings suggest that the public perceives Trump’s priorities as misaligned, potentially impacting his effectiveness in governance as he addresses pressing domestic issues.

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump’s second term has been notable, yet his approval ratings remain low, with only about 4 in 10 U.S. adults expressing their approval of his presidency, a consistency carried over from shortly after he assumed office for a second time.

A new poll by the Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research indicates subtle signs of vulnerability for the Republican president. American sentiment toward Trump's handling of the economy is lukewarm at best, with many questioning his focus on foreign intervention rather than pressing domestic concerns. His historically solid support regarding immigration has diminished, with figures revealing a decrease in approval ratings back to March.

As Trump navigates his second term, polling data indicates challenges, especially on economic matters where only 37% of Americans approved of his performance. This represents an uptick from earlier lows but reflects ongoing concerns about economic management as many citizens label the economic situation as poor.

Meanwhile, Trump's approach to immigration — once one of his strongholds — has seen a decline, with only 38% approval as political polarization continues to emerge on this issue.

Most Americans are dissatisfied with his handling of foreign policy, reflecting a disconnect with the “America First” mantra upon which he was originally elected. As domestic economic concerns grow, it remains uncertain how Trump's foreign interventions will play out in his approval ratings moving forward.

The poll conducted between January 8-11 involved a sample of 1,203 adults, and resulted in a margin of error of plus or minus 3.9 percentage points, providing insight into a potentially shifting landscape of public opinion regarding Trump's presidency.