President Donald Trump’s job approval slipped in a new poll as voters soured on his handling of several of the issues that have defined the opening months of the 2026 midterm year, including immigration, prices and Iran.
New Poll Shows Approval Slide
The NBC News survey results published over the weekend found 44% of registered voters approved of Trump’s performance and 54% disapproved, while Democrats held an edge on the generic congressional ballot. The poll marked a 3-point drop from Trump’s 47% approval rating in NBC’s March 2025 survey.
Key Issues Drag On Trump
Voters gave Trump his strongest marks on border security, where 53% approved, but only 44% approved of his handling of immigration and 41% backed his approach to Iran, a sign that some of the issues central to his political brand have become weaker ground.
Other recent polling has pointed in the same direction. A Reuters/Ipsos poll published in February found just 38% of Americans approved of Trump’s handling of immigration, down from 50% shortly after he returned to office. Reuters also reported last week that only about one in four Americans approved of the U.S. strikes that killed Iran’s leader, while about half said Trump was too willing to use military force.
An AP-NORC poll released in December found Trump’s approval on the economy had fallen to 31%, his lowest mark on that issue in AP-NORC polling, while his overall job approval stood at 36%, down from 42% in March. AP also found that about 6 in 10 Americans said Trump had “gone too far” in sending federal immigration agents into U.S. cities, with independents especially uneasy about his tactics.
Favorability Holds Despite Political Risks
Despite his weaker job approval numbers, Trump still outpolled former Vice President Kamala Harris and California Gov. Gavin Newsom (D) on overall favorability in the NBC News survey.
Trump also kept the door open, at least rhetorically, to a third White House run last October, telling reporters aboard Air Force One, “I haven’t really thought about it,” before adding, “I have the best poll numbers that I’ve ever had,” even though the Constitution bars a third elected term.
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