Trump can and will bounce back.
President Donald Trump is facing some of the weakest polling numbers of his political career as concerns over the economy, high prices and the cost of living continue to weigh on his approval rating.
A new national survey from the American Research Group found Trump’s job approval at just 29%, putting him below the 30% mark in that poll for the first time during either of his presidential terms.
The findings arrive at a politically important moment, with the 2026 midterm elections approaching and voters increasingly focused on household expenses and the direction of the economy.
Trump Approval Rating Falls Below 30%
According to the American Research Group survey, 29% of Americans approved of Trump’s performance as president, while 68% disapproved.
Trump had registered 30% approval in the firm’s previous surveys, making the latest reading another decline.
The survey was conducted from September 16 through September 20 among 1,100 American adults and carried a margin of error of approximately three percentage points.
The result stands out because other polling organizations have measured Trump higher, meaning the 29% figure should be viewed as one snapshot of public opinion rather than a universal measure of his support.
Reuters Poll Shows Another Low Point
Trump also received difficult numbers in a separate Reuters/Ipsos survey released September 21.
That poll put his overall approval rating at 32%, which Reuters described as the lowest level of his political career in its polling. About 66% disapproved of his performance.
The survey questioned 1,277 American adults and had a margin of error of roughly three percentage points.
Trump’s standing among Republicans also declined.
Reuters reported that 73% of Republicans approved of Trump’s performance, compared with 82% one week earlier.
That remains a substantial majority of Republican voters, but the week-to-week decline is another number the White House and GOP officials are likely to watch closely heading into the midterms.
Cost of Living Becomes a Major Problem
Economic concerns appear to be one of the biggest pressures on Trump’s approval rating.
Reuters found particularly weak marks for the president’s handling of the cost of living, with only 17% approving of his performance on that issue. The survey came as Americans continued dealing with elevated household costs and energy prices.
Those pocketbook concerns could be especially important because inflation, groceries, gasoline, housing and other everyday expenses directly affect millions of families.
For many voters, economic performance is ultimately judged by what they see when paying bills, filling their gas tanks and shopping for necessities.
Even Trump Supporters Show Economic Concern
The American Research Group findings also indicated pessimism about the future direction of the economy.
Among respondents who approved of Trump’s overall job performance, more said they expected economic conditions to worsen over the coming year than improve.
That represents a notable shift from earlier in Trump’s second term, when economic optimism among his supporters was considerably stronger.
The change suggests that dissatisfaction over economic conditions is not limited entirely to Trump’s political opponents.
Why Different Polls Show Different Numbers
Trump’s approval rating varies considerably depending on the polling organization.
That is normal in political polling.
Different surveys use different sampling methods, question wording, weighting systems and populations. Some question all adults, while others focus on registered voters or likely voters.
For that reason, individual polls can sometimes produce noticeably different results.
The Reuters/Ipsos survey, for example, put Trump at 32%, while the American Research Group survey placed him several points lower.
The broader trend across multiple surveys is generally more informative than any single poll.
What The Numbers Mean Heading Into The Midterms
The new polling puts additional attention on Trump and the Republican Party as voters prepare for the November 2026 midterm elections.
Economic conditions are likely to remain a central issue.
Reuters reported that dissatisfaction with high living costs has become a significant political concern for Trump, alongside the continuing war with Iran and its effect on energy markets.
Republicans will be watching whether those concerns improve before voters head to the polls.
Democrats, meanwhile, are likely to highlight economic dissatisfaction as they campaign for control of Congress.
For Trump, the next several weeks could determine whether his approval numbers recover or whether economic frustration continues to dominate public opinion.
One thing is clear from the latest surveys: the economy and cost of living remain central to how Americans are judging the president’s second term.