Donald Trump’s Approval Rating Reaches All-Time Low in Marist Poll – Image for illustrative purposes only (Image credits: Pixabay)
Six months before the 2026 midterm elections, President Donald Trump’s job approval rating stood at 37% in the latest NPR/PBS News/Marist national poll, with 59% of Americans expressing disapproval.[1][2] The survey, conducted in late April, captured growing unease over the economy and the ongoing conflict in Iran, trends that even registered cracks in Republican support. This persistent low approval could signal difficulties for the president’s party in defending congressional majorities.
Approval Rating Hits Persistent Low
The Marist Poll registered Trump’s overall job approval at 37%, a figure that placed it firmly in the high 30s range observed in recent surveys.[1] Disapproval reached 59%, including a strong disapproval from 51% of respondents – more than twice the share who strongly approved at 24%. This marked little change from earlier readings but highlighted a steady under-40% approval since late 2025.[3][4]
Conducted from April 27 to 30 among 1,322 adults, the poll carried a margin of error of plus or minus 3.1 percentage points. Registered voters showed similar sentiments, with dissatisfaction inching higher on key issues. Pollsters noted that while the overall number held steady, underlying metrics pointed to erosion.
Growing Discontent on Economy and Iran
Americans disapproved of Trump’s handling of the economy by 61% to 35%, a slight uptick in negativity from 58% disapproval the prior month.[1] Concerns over local costs of living intensified, with 44% calling it not very affordable and 12% not affordable at all – doubled from December levels. Gas prices strained 81% of households to some degree, and 63% blamed Trump in large part, including majorities of independents.
On foreign policy, 60% disapproved of his approach to Iran, where U.S. military action drew majority views that it caused more harm than good. Perceptions that Trump’s decisions weakened America’s global role climbed to 62%. These ratings compounded pressures as the conflict persisted into spring.[1]
Even Republicans Show Signs of Doubt
Trump retained solid backing from his base, but fissures appeared. For the first time in recent polls, 18% of Republicans disapproved of his overall performance, up from 12% in March.[1] Economic disapproval among GOP voters rose to 23% from 17%, and 22% faulted his Iran handling.
- Republicans: 72% approved Iran approach, but 25% saw military action as harmful.
- Independents: 49% backed Democrats on generic ballot vs. 37% Republicans.
- Democrats: Near-universal disapproval across issues.
This shift among core supporters echoed patterns from earlier Marist surveys, where economic approval hit term lows late last year.[3] Independents, crucial in swing districts, leaned heavily negative.
Midterm Ballot Test Reveals Democratic Edge
Democrats held a 10-point lead on the generic congressional ballot, 52% to 42%, widening slightly from March.[1] Among independents, the gap stretched to 12 points. Voter enthusiasm ran high at 74% among registered voters, but turnout dynamics favored the opposition in this snapshot.
Past Marist polling foreshadowed such trends. A November 2025 survey showed Democrats up 14 points nationally, with independents favoring them by 33 points amid government shutdown blame.[4] February data similarly flagged policy missteps alienating younger voters and Latinos.
- Trump’s 37% approval persists amid war and inflation worries.
- GOP disapproval ticks up, generic ballot tilts Democrat.
- Independents key to midterm outcomes in competitive seats.
Republicans face a familiar midterm headwind: a president with sub-40% approval typically spells losses for the incumbent party. Yet historical resilience in the base offers some buffer. As campaigns ramp up, these numbers underscore the narrow path ahead for holding Congress.[2]