By: Tushar Jain, Research Analyst, GSDN
Approval ratings are one of the simplest ways to understand how people feel about a President. They do not tell the full story of governance, but they show whether the public believes the President is doing a good job. When approval is high, it usually means people feel confident about leadership and the country’s direction. When approval is low, it often signals worry, anger, or disappointment.
Donald Trump has always been a unique figure in American politics. His leadership style, communication methods, and political ideas have divided the country more sharply than most presidents in modern history. Because of this, his approval ratings have been closely watched, debated, and argued over since his first term.
Now, as Trump serves another term as President of the United States, his approval ratings once again raise an important question: Is the President of the United States (POTUS) on the right track? To answer this, we must look carefully at the numbers, understand what drives them, and explore what they say about the country’s mood and direction.
What Are Approval Ratings and Why Do They Matter?
Approval ratings measure how many people approve or disapprove of the job a president is doing. Polling organizations regularly ask a simple question: Do you approve or disapprove of the way the president is handling his job? The answers are then presented as percentages.
These ratings matter for several reasons. First, they show public trust. A president with high approval usually has more political strength to pass laws and push policies. Members of Congress are more willing to support a president who is popular with voters. Second, approval ratings influence elections. Low presidential approval often hurts the president’s party in midterm elections. Third, approval ratings shape how history remembers a president.
However, approval ratings are not perfect. They are influenced by emotions, party loyalty, media coverage, and current events. They do not always reflect careful judgment of policy details. Still, they remain one of the best tools to understand public opinion.
A Brief Look at Trump’s Approval History
Donald Trump’s approval ratings have been unusual compared to other presidents. During his first term, his approval rarely crossed 50 percent. From the beginning, the country was deeply divided about him. Supporters strongly approved of his leadership, while critics strongly disapproved. There were fewer undecided people than usual.
This pattern has continued into his current term. His approval ratings tend to stay in the high 30s or low 40s. Disapproval is usually higher than approval. What is striking is not just that the numbers are low, but that they do not change much. Big events, major speeches, or policy announcements often cause only small shifts.
This stability suggests that many Americans have already made up their minds about Trump. For many people, opinions about him are fixed and unlikely to change.
The Role of Political Division
One of the biggest reasons for Trump’s approval pattern is political division. The United States is more polarized than it has been in decades. People increasingly identify strongly with political parties, and this shapes how they view leaders.
Republican voters mostly approve of Trump. Their approval often stays very high, sometimes above 80 percent. Democratic voters almost always disapprove of him at similar levels. Independent voters, who do not belong to either party, usually lean toward disapproval, though less strongly.
Because of this, Trump’s approval ratings say more about party loyalty than performance alone. Supporters see him as fighting for their values. Critics see him as harmful to democracy and social unity. This divide makes it very hard for Trump to gain broad national approval, even if some policies succeed.
The Economy and Public Opinion
The economy is usually the most important factor in approval ratings. When people feel financially secure, they tend to approve of the president. When prices rise or jobs feel uncertain, approval falls.
During Trump’s current term, many Americans have expressed concern about the economy. Issues such as inflation, cost of living, housing prices, and healthcare expenses affect daily life. Even if economic indicators show mixed or moderate performance, what matters most is how people feel in their own lives.
Polls show that Trump’s approval on economic handling is lower than on some other issues. Many voters feel that prices are still too high and that their wages are not keeping up. These feeling hurts approval, especially among middle-class and working-class families.
Economic dissatisfaction also affects independent voters more than party loyalists. While Trump’s supporters may defend his economic policies, many independents judge based on personal experience, and this has pushed approval down.
Immigration and Border Policy
Immigration is one area where Trump performs relatively better in approval ratings. His strong stance on border security has long been central to his political identity. Many supporters believe he is addressing a serious national issue that previous administrations ignored.
Polls often show higher approval for Trump’s handling of immigration compared to his overall job rating. Some independents also support stricter border controls, which gives Trump some broader backing on this issue.
However, this support is limited. Critics argue that his immigration policies are too harsh and create humanitarian problems. As a result, while immigration boosts his standing among supporters, it does not significantly raise his overall approval nationwide.
Foreign Policy and America’s Image
Foreign policy also influences approval ratings, though less directly than the economy. Americans usually pay less attention to foreign affairs unless there is a crisis. Still, leadership on the global stage affects how people view a president.
Trump’s foreign policy style is direct and often confrontational. He emphasizes national interest, strong borders, and fair trade. Supporters see this as strength. Critics see it as damaging to alliances and global trust.
International surveys show that confidence in U.S. leadership has declined in many countries during Trump’s leadership. While this does not directly affect domestic approval for all voters, it shapes the overall picture of American leadership and influences how history may judge his presidency.
Leadership Style and Personal Image
A president’s personality matters. Trump’s communication style is very different from most presidents. He speaks directly, often emotionally, and frequently uses social media. This approach excites supporters but frustrates critics.
Many people who disapprove of Trump point not only to policies but also to tone and behaviour. They express concerns about respect for institutions, political norms, and democratic traditions. These concerns affect approval ratings, especially among educated voters and moderates.
At the same time, supporters admire his willingness to challenge political elites and speak plainly. For them, his style feels honest and refreshing. This contrast shows why approval ratings remain divided and stable.
The Media’s Influence
Media coverage plays a major role in shaping public opinion. The modern media environment is highly fragmented. Different news outlets present very different views of the same events.
Supportive media highlight Trump’s achievements and defend his decisions. Critical media focus on controversies, legal issues, and political conflicts. Because many Americans consume news that matches their beliefs, opinions are reinforced rather than challenged.
This media division helps explain why approval ratings do not move much. People see different versions of reality, and approval reflects those separate narratives.
Comparing Trump to Other Presidents
When comparing Trump’s approval ratings to past presidents, a clear difference appears. Most presidents since World War II have enjoyed periods of majority approval, especially early in their terms. Trump has rarely reached that level.
This does not mean he is the least effective president, but it does mean he governs without broad national support. Historically, presidents with low approval often face more resistance in Congress and weaker influence over national debate.
Trump’s situation is unusual because his base support remains strong even when overall approval is low. This allows him to continue leading his party effectively, even if national approval is limited.
Does Low Approval Mean Failure?
Low approval does not automatically mean a president is failing. Some presidents have passed major reforms despite low popularity. Others were popular but ineffective.
For Trump, low approval reflects division more than complete rejection. He has achieved policy goals that matter deeply to his supporters. At the same time, he has not convinced a majority of Americans that his leadership benefits the whole country.
This creates a presidency that is strong in one direction and weak in another. Strong among loyal supporters, weak in building national unity.
Is the Country on the Right Track?
When people are asked whether the country is on the right track, responses often mirror approval ratings. Many Americans say the country is headed in the wrong direction. Reasons include economic stress, political conflict, and social tension.
Supporters of Trump often say the country is improving, especially in areas like border control and national pride. Critics believe division and uncertainty have increased.
These mixed views show that there is no shared national agreement on progress. Approval ratings reflect this lack of consensus.
What Approval Ratings Mean for the Future
Approval ratings shape the political future. Low presidential approval can hurt the president’s party in elections. It can also affect long-term legacy.
If approval remains low, Trump may struggle to gain support for large new initiatives. However, strong base loyalty ensures he remains influential within his party.
Future historians will likely view Trump’s presidency as one defined by division rather than consensus.
Final Assessment
So, is POTUS on the right track? The answer depends on perspective.
From the viewpoint of Trump’s supporters, he is doing what he promised. They see approval ratings as biased or irrelevant. From the viewpoint of the broader population, approval ratings suggest dissatisfaction, concern, and division.
Factually, Trump’s approval ratings remain low compared to historical norms. They show limited national support but strong partisan backing. They reflect a country deeply divided in values, priorities, and trust.
In the end, Trump’s approval ratings tell us less about short-term success and more about the long-term state of American democracy: polarized, emotional, and struggling to find common ground.
