AP-NORC Poll: Trump’s Approval Rating Stalls One Year Into Term/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ A year into his second term, Donald Trump’s approval remains steady but low. An AP-NORC poll shows consistent public skepticism on his handling of the economy, immigration, and foreign policy. Just 4 in 10 Americans approve of his overall job performance.
Trump’s Approval Ratings One Year Later: Quick Looks
- Only about 40% of Americans approve of Trump’s performance
- Most Americans say Trump is focused on the wrong priorities
- His economic approval lags at 37%, despite claims of a “boom”
- Immigration approval dropped sharply since early 2025
- Americans skeptical of Trump’s aggressive foreign policy actions
- Most disapprove of his expanded military involvement abroad
- Public concern over cost of living dominates economic perception
- Democrats and independents show limited support on key issues
Deep Look: AP-NORC Poll: Trump’s Approval Rating Stalls One Year Into Term
WASHINGTON (AP) — One year into President Donald Trump’s return to the White House, Americans remain deeply divided over his performance, with overall approval ratings stuck at around 40%, according to a new AP-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research poll. The findings underscore a reality Trump has faced throughout his political career: his support remains steadfast among his base but rarely expands beyond it.
Despite an eventful first year in office—including a controversial immigration crackdown, military operations abroad, and a renewed push to reshape U.S. foreign policy—Trump’s overall approval rating has changed little since March 2025, shortly after he re-entered office.
Approval Steady, But Low
Roughly 4 in 10 U.S. adults approve of how Trump is handling his presidency. This static level of support reflects the polarized political climate and echoes his first term, when approval ratings fluctuated slightly but mostly hovered around the same level.
This phenomenon of low but stable approval may be a Trump-specific dynamic or part of a broader trend in modern American politics. Historical Gallup data suggests that presidential approval ratings have become less variable over time. For contrast, President Joe Biden entered office with higher ratings but saw a sharp decline within two years.
Notably, only about 20% of Americans believe Trump is mostly focused on the right priorities. About half say he’s mostly focused on the wrong ones, while the rest see a mix or have no opinion.
Economic Concerns Persist
Despite touting an economic “boom,” Trump has yet to convince Americans that the economy is healthy. Only 37% approve of how he’s handling economic issues—an increase from a December low of 31%, but still well below his approval in this area during his first term.
During his earlier presidency, nearly half of Americans approved of his economic policies. But now, rising living costs appear to be Trump’s economic Achilles’ heel.
These numbers highlight a broader disconnect between Trump’s messaging and public perception. Americans, more than ever, are sensitive to rising costs—on everything from groceries to housing—and they increasingly blame Washington for it.
Immigration Approval Slips
Immigration, once a pillar of Trump’s political identity, has also become a weak spot. Approval for his handling of immigration has dropped to 38%, down from 49% in March.
This drop comes in the wake of high-profile incidents, including the shooting of Renee Good by an ICE officer in Minneapolis, which sparked national outrage and increased scrutiny of the administration’s immigration tactics.
Despite this, some Americans still give Trump credit for addressing immigration. Around 45% say he’s helped border security “a lot” or “a little.” Even among Democrats, 20% acknowledge some positive impact—more than on issues like job creation or inflation.
Still, about half the public believes Trump has “gone too far” with deportations, indicating that his aggressive tactics may have reached a ceiling of support.
Foreign Policy Draws Broad Disapproval
Trump’s pivot to foreign policy during his second term has not resonated well with the public. Whether it’s the U.S. military raid that captured Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro or Trump’s pressure campaign to acquire Greenland, most Americans disapprove of his international moves.
This disapproval reflects unease with Trump’s expansive global ambitions, which appear to contradict his longstanding “America First” messaging. Voters seem more interested in domestic issues, especially cost-of-living concerns, than foreign entanglements.
A Presidency Without Political Middle Ground
Trump’s second term continues to defy traditional political dynamics. His support remains stable but capped. There is little indication that major events—positive or negative—have altered public perception.
For instance, Trump’s approval did not rise significantly after the Maduro operation, despite the administration touting it as a major foreign policy victory. Likewise, his numbers didn’t dip further after high-profile immigration controversies.
This durability can be seen as both a strength and a weakness. Trump remains resilient amid controversy, but he’s also struggled to grow beyond his core base of support.
Public Opinion at a Glance
- Overall Job Approval: 40% approve, unchanged since March 2025
- Economy: 37% approval; 60% say Trump worsened cost of living
- Immigration: 38% approval; down from 49% last year
- Foreign Policy: 60% disapprove; 56% say Trump’s gone too far with military
- Priorities: 50% say Trump is focused on the wrong ones
About the Poll
The AP-NORC poll surveyed 1,203 U.S. adults between Jan. 8-11, 2026, using a probability-based AmeriSpeak panel. The margin of sampling error is ±3.9 percentage points. The poll captures a comprehensive look at public opinion on Trump’s second-term performance across multiple key issues.
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