President Donald Trump’s national approval ratings remain in negative territory, yet state-level polling reveals a more nuanced picture, with nearly half of U.S. states viewing his job performance favorably.
Where Trump Is Most and Least Popular
According to an August 12 Morning Consult update, Trump holds a positive approval rating in 27 states. Wyoming ranks as his strongest state, with 66% approval, while Vermont is his weakest, with 64% disapproval.
In Texas, 53% approve and 44% disapprove of Trump’s performance, while in California — where Governor Gavin Newsom has threatened to respond to Texas’s redistricting efforts — 41% approve and 56% disapprove, placing it among Trump’s seven lowest-rated states.
Two states with upcoming gubernatorial elections, New Jersey and Virginia, also show net-negative ratings for Trump.
National Approval Trends
Aggregated polling from RealClearPolitics shows Trump’s approval margin slipping from +6.2 points on January 27 to negative territory by March 13, hitting a low of -7.2 points on April 29. Another dip occurred on July 22-23 at -7.1 points, coinciding with ongoing controversies. As of August 12, Trump’s RealClearPolitics average is -5.4 points, while the New York Times aggregator places it at -8 points.
Historical Context
Gallup polling highlights Trump’s historically low first-year July approval compared to modern presidents. In a July 7-21 survey, 37% approved of his job performance — lower than:
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Joe Biden (2021) – 50%
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Barack Obama (2009) – 57%
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George W. Bush (2001) – 55%
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Bill Clinton (1993) – 43%
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George H.W. Bush (1989) – 66%
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Ronald Reagan (1981) – 59%
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Trump’s own first term (2017) – 38%
Political Implications
The mixed approval landscape is unfolding as Republicans in states like Texas push for congressional redistricting that could secure additional GOP seats ahead of the 2026 midterms. Democratic strongholds, limited by independent redistricting commissions, are considering countermeasures, framing the battle as critical to control of the House during Trump’s remaining years in office.
