Why Trump's Approval Ratings Are Sparking Debate in Key States
As Donald Trump prepares to deliver a speech on the National Mall to mark the nation’s 250th anniversary, a map of state-level polling reveals significant disparities in support for the president.Nationally, the president is at 37 percent approval and 58 percent disapproval as of July 1, leaving him significantly underwater with a net approval rating of -21, according to Civiqs’ rolling online tracking poll of registered voters. The poll has garnered 114,500 responses since January 20, 2025, when Trump returned to office for a second term.At the state level, the polling shows a president who has stronger support in several reliably Republican states, but remains deeply underwater in much of the country, including in all six battleground states that swung to Trump in the 2024 election. Even small shifts in voter sentiment could have a significant impact in November’s midterm elections, when control of Congress for the remainder of Trump’s term is at stake.Use the map below to explore where Trump’s net approval rating stands in each state:Where Trump Is Most PopularTrump has the highest approval rating in Wyoming, with 59 percent approving of the way he is handling his job as president and 35 percent disapproving, giving him a net approval rating of +24.He also has positive net approval in many of the other states that make up the Republican heartland:North Dakota: +17 (56 percent approve, 39 percent disapprove)Alabama: +14 (54 percent approve, 40 percent disapprove)Idaho: +14 (53 percent approve, 39 percent disapprove)West Virginia: +14 (53 percent approve, 39 percent disapprove)Arkansas: +12 (53 percent approve, 41 percent disapprove)Oklahoma: +11 (53 percent approve, 42 percent disapprove)South Dakota: +12 (53 percent approve, 41 percent disapprove)Tennessee: +6 (50 percent approve, 44 percent disapprove)But even in the states where Trump’s approval rating is highest, the latest figures still mark a clear decline from the start of his second term. He began his second term with +46 net approval in Wyoming, +30 in North Dakota and +24 in Alabama.Where Trump Is Least PopularThe president’s net approval rating in lowest in Vermont, where just 19 percent approve of his job performance, while 77 percent disapprove, giving him a net approval rating of -58.Other states with especially low net approval ratings include:Hawaii: -59 (18 percent approve, 78 percent disapprove)Maryland: -50 (22 percent approve, 72 percent disapprove)Massachusetts: -47 (25 percent approve, 71 percent disapprove) California: -44 (26 percent approve, 70 percent disapprove)Washington: -40 (28 percent approve, 68 percent disapprove)Connecticut: -39 (28 percent approve, 68 percent disapprove)Oregon: -39 (28 percent approve, 67 percent disapprove)New York: -38 (29 percent approve, 67 percent disapprove)These figures underscore Trump's continued struggles in states that have traditionally favored Democratic candidates in presidential elections. ...Key Battleground StatesTrump remains underwater in all seven of the swing states that he carried in the 2024 presidential election. His approval rating continuing to decline in those states could hurt Republicans in November’s midterm elections, and allow Democrats to pick up key seats in the House and Senate.Arizona: -12 (42 percent approve, 54 percent disapprove)Georgia: -20 (37 percent approve, 57 percent disapprove)Michigan: -20 (38 percent approve, 57 percent disapprove)Nevada: -24 (35 percent approve, 59 percent disapprove)North Carolina: -14 (41 percent approve, 55 percent disapprove)Pennsylvania: -18 (39 percent approve, 56 percent disapprove)Wisconsin: -13 (41 percent approve, 54 percent disapprove)Even in Florida, a former swing state that has been reliably Republican in recent years, Trump's net approval rating is -12, with 42 percent approval and 54 percent disapproval.What the Demographic Data ShowsA look at the demographic data reveals a significant partisan divide, with Republicans overwhelmingly approving of Trump’s job performance and Democrats overwhelming disapproving. More independents disapprove, with 30 percent approving and 62 percent disapproving.A look at the data on a national level also shows an age, education, race and gender divide.The polling data shows older voters are more supportive of the president, while young voters are strongly against. Just 24 percent of voters aged 18 to 34 approve of Trump’s performance, while 71 percent disapprove. On the other end of the spectrum, 46 percent of those 65 and over approve of Trump, while 50 percent disapprove.The data shows Trump is strongest with white voters. Forty-four percent of white voters approve of his performance, while 50 percent disapprove. Among Black or African-American voters, just 8 percent approve, while 89 percent disapprove. Education is also a key divide. Only 25 percent of postgraduates approve of Trump’s performance, while 71 percent disapprove. Non-college graduates were more narrowly split, with 40 approval and 54 disapproval.What the White House SaysThe White House has repeatedly dismissed the president’s low approval ratings, pointing to Trump’s 2024 election victory as the clearest measure of public support.In response to inquiries about polling, White House spokesman Davis Ingle previously told Newsweek that the 80 million Americans who voted for Trump gave him a mandate to “deliver on his popular and commonsense agenda.”Trump “has already made historic progress not only in America but around the world. It is not surprising that President Trump remains the most dominant figure in American politics,” Ingle said.Contact Newsweek editors on this story: John Fitzpatrick and Yannick Demoustier.
