President Donald Trump’s approval rating has dropped to one of its lowest points in his second term, according to a new Reuters and Ipsos poll released on Tuesday. This marks a significant shift in public sentiment, as Trump has frequently pointed to strong poll numbers during his presidency to bolster his political standing.
Since his inauguration in January, the polling group has consistently tracked Trump’s approval ratings. These numbers serve as a barometer of public perception and are often cited by the president at campaign rallies and press events. Trump has routinely highlighted favorable polling data throughout his political career to showcase his popularity and leadership.
The importance of these numbers goes beyond mere perception. Falling approval ratings can impact a president’s influence, especially in a deeply divided political climate. Trump, who returned to the White House in January with relatively strong approval, has seen those numbers erode amid controversial policy decisions. One significant factor was his announcement of sweeping tariffs, which drew criticism and may have contributed to the decline in support. Though Trump later announced a 90-day delay on the majority of the tariffs, the initial backlash appears to have left a mark on public opinion.
A continued dip in approval could potentially weaken Trump’s political leverage and reduce the Republican Party’s prospects in the 2026 midterm elections. In a political landscape already marked by division and intense scrutiny, approval ratings remain a crucial indicator of electoral momentum.
The Reuters and Ipsos poll, conducted between May 16 and May 18 among 1,024 U.S. adults, found that Trump’s approval rating now stands at 42 percent. This is the same level he reached in earlier polls from April 21 and April 27. Just one week ago, the same polling group had him at 44 percent. The margin of error for this latest survey is plus or minus 3 percent.
When it comes to specific issues, the numbers tell a more nuanced story. The president’s approval rating on the economy sits at 39 percent, while 53 percent of respondents expressed disapproval. On employment and jobs, Trump received a 41 percent approval rating compared to a 49 percent disapproval rate. These figures suggest that concerns about the economy and job market may be driving some of the negative sentiment among voters.
However, not all polls show the same trend. A separate survey conducted by InsiderAdvantage between May 17 and May 19 among 1,000 likely voters painted a more optimistic picture for Trump. That poll found that 55 percent approved of the job he is doing, while 44 percent disapproved. With a similar margin of error of 3 percent, the InsiderAdvantage poll indicates a net approval rating of 11 points. This marks a significant improvement from early May, when the same polling organization found Trump’s net approval rating at just 2 points, with 46 percent approval and 44 percent disapproval.
The uptick in the InsiderAdvantage numbers may be tied to Trump’s recent trip to the Middle East, which appeared to boost his standing among voters. Such trips often allow presidents to demonstrate leadership on the global stage, which can translate into short-term approval boosts.
Political analyst Craig Agranoff commented on the fluctuating numbers in a text message to Newsweek on Tuesday. He said, “His approval rating dipping to 42% in the latest Reuters/Ipsos poll signals a troubling trend for his administration, particularly as it aligns with growing public unease over economic policies like tariffs and concerns about governance amid understaffed agencies.”
Agranoff continued, “Given the consistent downward trajectory we’ve seen in recent polls, with disapproval climbing to around 51%, this negative trend could persist unless there’s a significant policy win or shift in public perception. A president typically becomes concerned with low approval ratings when they fall below 40% for a sustained period, as this erodes political capital, weakens legislative leverage, and risks alienating key voter groups; especially independents and moderates, who have shown notable disapproval in recent data.”
He concluded by saying, “For Trump, the challenge will be addressing these economic and credibility concerns swiftly to reverse the slide.”
On social media, the response to the poll numbers has also been swift and pointed. The account Republicans Against Trump posted on X, formerly known as Twitter, “NEW: Donald Trump’s approval rating drops to 42%, per Reuters/Ipsos poll, down two points since early May. Still way too high.”
Despite the varying results between different polls, the trajectory of Trump’s approval ratings remains a focal point for both political allies and critics. These numbers are reported regularly across a range of media outlets and pollsters, giving the public and political analysts alike a window into the president’s current standing.
Ultimately, polling data serves as both a reflection of and influence on the political landscape. While approval ratings can shift quickly in response to national or global events, sustained downward trends are often more telling. For President Trump, managing these numbers may prove essential not only to his current influence but also to his party’s fortunes in the next major election cycle. Whether the decline in the Reuters/Ipsos poll signals a lasting issue or a temporary dip remains to be seen. But the stakes, both political and legislative, are high.
As new polling continues to emerge, Trump’s team will likely watch the results closely and consider strategic adjustments. Whether through policy changes, messaging shifts, or public appearances aimed at boosting confidence, the pressure is on to regain ground before the midterm campaigns ramp up. Until then, the conversation surrounding Trump’s approval rating is unlikely to fade from the national spotlight.