Trump’s Approval Rating Falls Below 30% Amid Economic Concerns

President Donald Trump’s approval rating has fallen below 30 percent for the first time across both of his White House terms. This decline comes as the midterm elections approach. The American Research Group conducted a poll from September 16-20, surveying 1,100 American adults. Results showed the president with a 29 percent approval rating overall, while only 26 percent of respondents had a positive view of the economy.

In total, 72 percent of those surveyed expressed the belief that the U.S. economy is worsening. This sentiment persists despite the Trump administration’s argument that current economic challenges are largely due to previous administrations. Other recent polls have typically placed Trump’s approval in the mid-to-high 30s, depending on policy areas.

Historically, the last president with an approval rating in the 20s was George W. Bush at the end of 2008, according to Gallup’s presidential approval tracker. Newsweek reached out to the White House for comments on the new poll results.

Details of Trump’s Approval Rating

The ARG poll released on Monday revealed that 68 percent of voters disapproved of Trump’s performance, reflecting a 2 percent increase from the August survey. On economic matters, 71 percent disapproved of his approach, up from 69 percent the previous month. Only 6 percent of those surveyed expect the economy to improve over the next year, while 70 percent predict worsening conditions.

These statistics may significantly impact Trump, who often highlighted his economic policies and promised a “golden age” for Americans. Personal finances are a particular concern, with fewer than 20 percent of respondents viewing their household finances positively compared to the 75 percent who viewed them negatively.

Back in February 2025, shortly after his return to the White House, nearly half of Trump’s supporters believed in economic improvement. However, this optimism has largely disappeared.

Comparing Presidential Approval Ratings

Gallup’s historical tracking shows that Trump is not alone in facing low approval ratings. The last president with similar ratings was George W. Bush during the global financial crisis in 2008, a period of intense scrutiny ahead of the election.

On average, President Barack Obama maintained a 48 percent approval rating during his terms, while President Joe Biden’s average hovers around 42.2 percent. During both of his terms, Trump’s average approval rating stands at approximately 41 percent. When he first left office, his rating was around 34 percent.