President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump recently visited North Carolina, and amid the president's campaigning for Republicans in the midterms, a new round of approval rating polls is in for the president.
Trump's visit to North Carolina was intended to show his support
for U.S. Senate candidate Republican Michael Whatley. Whatley said on social media that he was "thrilled" to welcome Trump to his home in Gastonia."President Trump needs an ally in the Senate and North Carolina needs a fighter," Whatley posted. "That’s why we will win on November 3!"
The purpose of Melania Trump's visit was somewhat different ― as reported by the Citizen Times, the first lady paid a visit to an elementary school in Ashe County on Sept. 15, praising the importance
of STEM education as a path to economic opportunity in the aftermath of Helene.
“Knowledge is power,” Melania Trump told a crowd of mostly schoolchildren. “Knowledge gives everyone in this town a chance to move beyond Helene, and to imagine the possibilities. It gives the next generation the choice to help create a beautiful world in the future, a better America.”
Following these September visits, here's what approval polls show on Trump countrywide, plus approval for Trump and other politicians in North Carolina and more.
What is Donald Trump's approval rating now in September 2026?
Recent polls found the following on Trump's approval rating:
- Most recent polls from Emerson College surveyed 1,000 adults and found a 39% approval rating and a 58% disapproval rating, a net approval rating of -19 percentage points.
- Most recent polls from Impact Research/National Research Inc. surveyed 1,500 adults and found a 37% approval rating and a 61% disapproval rating, a net approval rating of -24 percentage points.
- Most recent polls from American Research Group surveyed 1,100 adults and found a 29% approval rating and a 68% disapproval rating, a net approval rating of -39 percentage points.
- Most recent polls from Ipsos with Reuters surveyed 1,277 adults and found a 32% approval rating and a 66% disapproval rating, a net approval rating of -34 percentage points.
- Most recent polls from CNN/SSRS surveyed 1,206 adults and found a 33% approval rating and a 67% disapproval rating, a net approval rating of -34 percentage points.
- Most recent polls from Hart Research Associates/Public Opinion Strategies surveyed 1,000 adults and found a 41% approval rating and a 56% disapproval rating, a net approval rating of -15 percentage points.
- Most recent polls from Marist University with NPR and PBS News surveyed 1,280 adults and found a 39% approval rating and a 59% disapproval rating, a net approval rating of -20 percentage points.
What is Trump's approval rating in North Carolina?
A study released Sept. 24 by High Point University surveyed 1,003 North Carolina residents aged 18 and older, including 813 respondents identified as registered voters. The survey found that Trump had a 43% approval rating and a 52% disapproval rating.
What is North Carolina Gov. Josh Stein's approval rating?
A previous HPU poll released Aug. 21 which surveyed 800 registered North Carolina voters, including 660 residents qualified as November 2026 likely voters, found that N.C. Gov. Josh Stein had a 52% approval rating and a 25% disapproval rating, while roughly 24% of respondents expressed no opinion.
What is Michael Watley's approval rating in North Carolina?
Heading into the midterm election, the Sept. 24 HPU also collected data from North Carolina voters on U.S. Senate candidates Republican Michael Whatley and Democratic former Governor Roy Cooper. The poll found that 42% would vote for Whatley.
What is Roy Cooper's approval rating in North Carolina?
The Sept. 24 HPU poll found that, of respondents, 50% would vote for Cooper.
How does Trump's approval rating compare with his first term?
According to results from now-defunct polling website FiveThirtyEight, Trump had a final approval rating of 34% when he left office in 2021. His approval average during his first term was 41%.
How does Trump's approval rating compare with past presidents?
Data compiled by USA TODAY found the following:
- Joe Biden - 40%
- Donald Trump (first term) - 34%
- Barack Obama - 59%
- George W. Bush - 34%
- Bill Clinton - 66%
- George H.W. Bush - 56%
- Ronald Reagan - 63%
- Jimmy Carter - 34%
- Gerald Ford - 53%
- Richard Nixon - 24%
Iris Seaton is the trending news reporter for the Asheville Citizen Times, part of the USA TODAY Network. Reach her at iseaton@citizentimes.com.
This article originally appeared on Asheville Citizen Times: Trump approval polls show continue decline in NC as September ends
