As August 2026 begins, another round of approval polls for President Donald Trump is available.
As reported by USA TODAY on Aug. 12, a recent poll from Economist/YouGov placed the president's approval ratings at a "new low," with one in three Americans, or 33%, of respondents approving of his job performance, according to the results. USA TODAY described this as the "lowest approval rating" that the president has seen in YouGov tracking since returning to office in 2025.
Other recent Trump headlines highlight some of the president's controversial decisions, including his attempts to end birthright citizenship, his refusal to dismiss the possibility of declaring a national security emergency in order to establish new voting restrictions before
midterm elections and more.
Here's the latest on polls in North Carolina and the entire U.S.
What is Donald Trump's approval rating now in July 2026?
Recent polls found the following on Trump's approval rating:
- Most recent polls from Ipsos with Reuters surveyed 4,505 adults and found a 35% approval rating and a 63% disapproval rating, a net approval rating of -28 percentage points.
- Most recent polls from Marquette Law School surveyed 1,076 adults and found a 40% approval rating and a 60% disapproval rating, a net approval rating of -20 percentage points.
- Most recent polls from AP-NORC surveyed 1,165 adults and found a 33% approval rating and a 66% disapproval rating, a net approval rating of -33 percentage points.
- Most recent polls from Quinnipiac University surveyed 963 adults and found a 32% approval rating and a 58% disapproval rating, a net approval rating of -26 percentage points.
- Most recent polls from CNN/SSRS surveyed 1,225 adults and found a 34% approval rating and a 66% disapproval rating, a net approval rating of -32 percentage points.
- Most recent polls from American Research Group surveyed 1,100 adults and found a 30% approval rating and a 67% disapproval rating, a net approval rating of -37 percentage points.
- Most recent polls from Beacon Research/Shaw & Company Research with Fox News surveyed 1,003 adults and found a 39% approval rating and a 61% disapproval rating, a net approval rating of -22 percentage points.
What is Trump's approval rating in North Carolina?
As previously reported by the Citizen Times, a study from Catawba College published June 23 surveyed 1,000 online respondents in an online survey. Responses found a 43% approval rating and a 54% disapproval rating (with an overall margin of error of +/-3.83%) among North Carolina residents.
What is North Carolina Gov. Josh Stein's approval rating?
The latest Catawba College report also surveyed respondents on N.C. Gov. Josh Stein's approval rating among Tar Heel State residents. The survey found that among 905 weighted likely voters, Stein held a 53% approval rating and a 27% disapproval rating.
What is Michael Watley's approval rating in North Carolina?
Heading into the midterm election, the Catawba College study also collected responses on the approval rating for N.C.'s U.S. Senate candidates. Among the survey's 905 weighted likely voters, Republican Michael Whatley received a 34% approval rating.
What is Roy Cooper's approval rating in North Carolina?
Democrat candidate for the U.S. Senate seat race and former N.C. Gov. Roy Cooper received a 48% approval rating on the latest Catawba College survey.
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's approval hits 'new low.' See latest U.S., NC approval ratings
