Donald Trump hits historic low as new poll shows his net approval rating worse than any modern president in decades

Donald Trump’s net approval rating in 2025 has reached a shocking low, worse than any modern U.S. president in the last 70 years. Polls from CNN, FOX, Ipsos, NBC, and Quinnipiac University show Trump’s approval rating dropping from +7 in January to -2 in March, a sharp 9-point decline. CNN analyst Harry Enten noted that while Trump is slightly better off than he was in 2017, he remains “underwater,” unlike any other president at this stage of their term.

How do Trump’s ratings compare historically?

Historically, every U.S. president since 1937 maintained a positive net approval rating by this point in their presidency. Trump, however, is an anomaly. Even during his first term in 2017, his approval numbers hovered in the negative range. While Barack Obama, George W. Bush, and Bill Clinton maintained positive approval ratings during this period, Trump remains the only president to repeatedly fall below the threshold.

Why are Trump’s numbers falling?

Analysts point to Trump’s divisive leadership and inability to appeal to undecided voters. His polarizing policies and inflammatory rhetoric continue to alienate key voter demographics. According to Enten, “Trump’s approval is so low that he only matches himself—nobody else has been this unpopular in modern history.” This decline is consistent across all major polls, indicating that public sentiment toward Trump remains largely negative.

What do polls reveal about Trump’s standing?

Recent polling data paints a bleak picture:

• CNN Poll: Trump’s net approval dropped by 9 points since January.
  
  
• FOX News Poll: Shows widespread disapproval of Trump’s handling of key policy issues.
  
  
• Ipsos & NBC Polls: Reflect a consistent trend of negative sentiment across various demographics.
  
  

Is Trump doing better than 2017?

Slightly. In 2025, Trump’s numbers are marginally better than they were in 2017, but that’s hardly a victory. Enten remarked, “When you’re only matching yourself and you’re still underwater, that’s not a win.” Even though Trump’s current numbers are a minor improvement, they still lag far behind other presidents at this stage.

Can Trump recover from this historic low?

While anything is possible in politics, experts are doubtful that Trump can significantly improve his standing. Given the consistency of his negative ratings across multiple polls, a major shift in public perception seems unlikely. His polarizing image and inability to resonate with key voter groups may prevent a comeback.

Trump breaks records, but for the wrong reasons

Donald Trump has made history yet again—this time for having the lowest net approval rating of any modern U.S. president at this stage of their presidency. Despite slight improvements from his 2017 numbers, Trump remains the only president to consistently find himself in negative territory. As the 2025 election approaches, Trump’s low ratings may prove to be a major hurdle in his pursuit of re-election.

FAQs:

Why is Donald Trump’s approval rating so low in 2025?
Trump’s polarizing policies and failure to appeal to undecided voters have led to declining approval.

How does Trump’s approval rating compare to past presidents?
Trump’s net approval is worse than any modern president since 1937.