Trump’s Approval Ratings Show Political Divide Amid Midterm Elections
President Donald Trump’s approval rating remains low in most U.S. states according to a recent Civiqs poll. This poll reflects ongoing political and geographic polarization across the country.
Current Approval Ratings
The Civiqs daily online tracking poll, which gathered 106,368 responses from January 20, 2025, to May 23, 2026, indicates that Trump’s net approval rating is negative in 36 states. It shows positive ratings in only 14 states, highlighting the erosion of his support outside Republican-dominated areas.
Conducted on Memorial Day, May 25 this year, the poll coincides with the federal holiday honoring U.S. Armed Forces members who died in service.
Significance for Midterm Elections
Trump’s approval rating carries weight for the upcoming midterm elections. These elections offer voters a chance to express their opinions on his administration. Historically, midterms act as a referendum on the sitting president, potentially impacting their legislative agenda.
The elections could alter the balance of power in Congress. Traditionally, the party not holding the presidency fares better during midterms, as seen in 2018 when Republicans lost the House. With slim majorities in Congress, losing either chamber could hinder the GOP’s legislative progress.
Current Poll Data
The nationwide rolling Civiqs poll reports a national approval rate of 36% for Trump, with 59% disapproval. His main support remains in states like Wyoming and West Virginia, where net approval ratings sit at +26 and +16, respectively. Only 14 states show net positive approval, while 36 states show more disapproval than approval. Deep blue states such as Hawaii, Vermont, and Maryland report disapproval rates nearing or exceeding 70%.
Civiqs uses a large national panel and statistical modeling for their research.
States with Highest Approval Ratings
The highest approval ratings are in deeply Republican states, which strongly supported Trump in the 2024 election. In areas like the Plains, Mountain West, and parts of Appalachia, his approval numbers are positive despite national trends. Wyoming shows a 26-point net approval, followed by North Dakota at 17 points, and West Virginia at 16 points. Idaho and Alabama also reflect solid support.
States with Lowest Approval Ratings
Conversely, Trump’s lowest approval ratings are in Democratic strongholds, particularly the West Coast and Northeast. Hawaii, Vermont, and Maryland show net approval ratings of -61, -57, and -50, respectively. These states display consistent opposition, with little change over time. California and Massachusetts also exhibit strong disapproval.
Comparative Polls
Other polls mirror Civiqs’ findings. A New York Times/Siena College poll shows Trump’s disapproval at 59%, while a CNN poll reports it at 66%, the highest during his nonconsecutive terms. Conducted in May 2026 among 1,507 registered voters, the CNN poll has a margin of error of +/- 2.8 percentage points.
Memorial Day Statements
On Memorial Day, Trump criticized Democrats, referring to them as “Dumocrats” on Truth Social. He stated, “Happy Memorial Day to all, including the Dumocrats, who disrespect our Military.” He continued to criticize their policies and candidates.
White House Position
The White House has not commented on the new polls. Previously, White House spokesman Davis Ingle reminded Newsweek of Trump’s electoral victory in 2024, emphasizing his popular agenda.