According to a new poll from Strength In Numbers, President Donald Trump’s approval rating has hit a record low.
Only 40% of Americans approve of his job, while 58% disapprove, giving him a net score of -18. “This is a new low in our tracking,” wrote G. Elliott Morris, the group’s chief analyst, about the January 2026 results.
The poll surveyed 1,532 U.S. adults between January 14 and January 20, 2026, and has a margin of error of about ±2.5%.
This is a striking drop for a president who has made approval ratings a key part of his political strength. Trump marked one year of his second term this month, but the numbers now show rising dissatisfaction at home.
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White House spokesperson Abigail Jackson defended the president’s record when reached for comment. She told Newsweek: “President Trump won the 2024 election in a landslide based on his promise to carry out the largest mass deportation of criminal illegal aliens.”
But the poll shows Trump’s once‑strong messages on immigration are no longer winning broad support.
Only 44% approve of his immigration policy, while 53% disapprove. On deportation policy, just 42% approve, and 54% disapprove. Border security is the only issue where Trump gets more positive than negative ratings, 50% approve, 46% disapprove.
Independents, often key to election outcomes, have turned sharply against Trump. Just 27% of independents approve of his job performance, while a large 63% disapprove.
These figures represent a serious warning sign for Republicans as the 2026 midterm elections approach. The poll’s generic ballot test shows Democrats leading Republicans 51% to 43% among registered voters, with 6% undecided.
Many Americans say other issues matter more than immigration. Voters ranked prices and inflation first, followed by health care and the economy, areas where Democrats are now trusted more than Republicans, according to the poll.
Trump’s performance on health care also fared poorly. Approval for his handling of health care was well below his overall job rating, with Americans frustrated by gaps left when ACA subsidies expired and premiums rose for millions.
Foreign policy issues have not helped Trump’s standing either. The poll also included views on the United States’ military intervention in Venezuela. It found 45% of Americans oppose the strike, while 53% oppose the idea of the U.S. temporarily running the country, a controversial stance that has drawn criticism from both sides of the political aisle.
Morris noted the larger trend: “Immigration was supposed to be Trump’s political strength heading into 2026. If voters are turning against him on his signature issue, the GOP’s midterm positioning gets considerably harder.”
Featured image via Strength In Numbers / gelliottmorris.com
