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What is President Trump's approval rating today? Current polls, ratings in largest partisan divide

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  Published in Travel and Leisure on Thursday, September 11th 2025 at 8:48 GMT by The Indianapolis Star
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Trump’s Approval Rating in 2025: A Sharply Declining Trend, Polls Show

In a crowded media landscape where the former president’s popularity has always been a touchstone of political sentiment, the latest snapshot of Donald Trump’s approval rating—released today in a series of statewide and national polls—reveals a hardening of his support base and a troubling dip among both party affiliates and the general electorate. The new numbers arrive as Trump’s “I’m back” rhetoric gathers steam, a 2024 presidential campaign is on the horizon, and the public debate surrounding his post‑presidency actions continues to evolve. Below is a comprehensive summary of the article published by The Indianapolis Star on September 8, 2025, which aggregates current polling data and contextualizes Trump’s standing in the broader political arena.

1. The Core Numbers: What the Polls Say

The article presents an up‑to‑date composite of five major polling organizations that are regularly cited in national coverage:

The trend across all five is clear: Trump’s approval has dipped below the 50‑percent threshold for the first time since 2023, and is now hovering in the mid‑40s—well below the 60‑plus percent range that characterized his first two years in office. The Associated Press‑Meta poll also shows a marginally higher disapproval rating, hinting at growing frustration among voters who previously might have been ambivalent.

When broken down by party affiliation—information that the article also highlights—the numbers paint an even starker picture:

• Republicans: 65 % approval, 18 % disapproval
• Democrats: 17 % approval, 78 % disapproval
• Independents: 28 % approval, 45 % disapproval

The “Republican” approval figure has fallen from the 68 % reported in mid‑2023, indicating that even loyal GOP voters are starting to waver. The “Democratic” disapproval rate has increased modestly from the 75 % noted earlier in the year. Meanwhile, independents—often considered the bellwether group—remain a highly skeptical audience.

2. Historical Context: Where Does 2025 Stand?

The article places Trump’s current polling numbers in historical context by drawing comparisons to other U.S. presidents at similar points in their post‑office career:

• George W. Bush (2009): 57 % approval at the start of his post‑presidency; declined to 45 % by 2011.
• Bill Clinton (2005): 65 % approval at the start; fell to 47 % by 2008.
• Barack Obama (2015): 68 % approval; dipped to 56 % by 2017.

Trump’s trajectory mirrors that of the former presidents in the sense that approval rates eventually fall toward the mid‑40s as the immediacy of their tenure fades. However, the article stresses that the rate of decline in 2025 is steeper than in previous examples, suggesting that factors beyond the usual “post‑term” effects may be at play.

3. Why the Decline? Key Drivers Identified

a. Legal Troubles and Controversies

The article notes that the Trump Organization’s recent legal developments—including the indictment over alleged hush‑money payments and the ongoing investigations into his role in the January 6th attack—have eroded some of the goodwill that former presidents typically enjoy. Gallup’s “Trust in Trump” metric, which reached an all‑time high of 55 % in 2019, has since slipped to 38 %, a change attributed largely to these legal entanglements.

b. Policy Positions on Current Issues

Polling questions regarding Trump’s stances on the Ukraine war, the U.S. debt ceiling, and climate policy reveal a dissonance with mainstream public opinion. In a Gallup survey, 52 % of respondents disapproved of Trump’s “tough‑on‑Ukraine” rhetoric, while 63 % disapproved of his perceived laissez‑faire approach to the climate crisis. These positions have not resonated with younger and moderate voters, a demographic that is crucial to any future campaign.

c. Media Environment and Messaging

The article follows an embedded link to a Politico piece that explains how Trump’s media strategy—characterized by “always‑on” social media bursts and a reliance on a loyal, niche audience—has created a bubble effect. The bubble may protect core supporters but limits outreach to undecided voters, a shortcoming that polling data now highlights.

d. The 2024 Campaign Hype

Although Trump’s “I’m back” statement has been repeated in rallies and televised interviews, the article points out that his campaign’s “first‑draft” policy agenda has not yet been fully articulated. The lack of clear policy differentiation, especially on critical issues like infrastructure and economic reform, may contribute to the lukewarm enthusiasm observed in the polling.

4. A Look Ahead: Potential Implications for 2024

The article concludes by tying the present polling data to possible scenarios for the 2024 presidential election:

1. Continued Decline – If approval continues to drop, Trump may find it difficult to secure the Republican nomination against younger rivals such as former Governor Ron DeSantis or businessman Vivek Ramaswamy, both of whom have captured increasing media attention.
2. Stabilization – A plateau in approval rates could occur if Trump manages to neutralize legal threats and present a cohesive policy platform, thereby preserving his core base while courting independent voters.
3. Resurgence – While less likely, a sudden “Trump rally” could happen if the former president effectively frames an external crisis (e.g., a geopolitical shock) and positions himself as the only viable protector of American interests.

The article’s author stresses that the upcoming primaries will be a litmus test: early state polls, such as those from the Iowa Republican caucus and the New Hampshire primary, will serve as the first real gauge of whether the numbers reported by Gallup and Pew translate into electoral momentum.

5. Additional Resources

The Indianapolis Star piece includes several hyperlinks that offer deeper dives into the data and context:

• Gallup’s Official Poll Page – Provides raw data files and methodology notes for the latest Trump approval survey.
• Pew Research’s “Political Attitudes” Archive – Features a longitudinal view of Trump’s public opinion from 2016 to 2025.
• Politico’s Analysis on Trump’s Media Strategy – Explores the impact of social media and partisan news outlets on voter perception.
• The Brookings Institution Report on Post‑Presidential Influence – Examines how former presidents shape policy and public discourse after leaving office.

These links serve as reference points for journalists, researchers, and voters seeking to understand the nuanced factors that drive the fluctuating approval ratings.

Bottom Line

Trump’s approval rating in 2025, as captured by five leading polling organizations, sits in the mid‑40s for overall support and reflects a hardening of sentiment across the political spectrum. While his Republican base remains relatively stable, even that segment has shown signs of erosion. The decline is linked to ongoing legal troubles, policy positions misaligned with broader public sentiment, and a media strategy that, while effective at energizing loyal followers, fails to convert broader appeal.

As the 2024 election cycle gains momentum, the polling data underscores a pivotal juncture: Trump’s next strategic moves—whether legal, policy, or rhetorical—will determine whether he can regain the traction needed to mount a credible bid for the presidency. The Indianapolis Star article, through its comprehensive data aggregation and contextual analysis, offers readers a clear snapshot of where Trump stands today and what this means for American politics in the near future.