Donald Trump's Favorability Rating Is Climbing

President Donald Trump’s approval rating has surged following his inauguration last week, according to recent polling.

Republicans have seen a nationwide boost in approval, with Trump improving his standing in nearly every state compared to November’s presidential election against then-Vice President Kamala Harris. With the GOP now controlling both the Senate and the House, Trump is well-positioned to advance his agenda with minimal resistance.

Polls indicate Trump has gained support among groups that traditionally do not vote Republican, suggesting a potential shift in voter demographics that could influence future elections.

A Quinnipiac University poll from December 16, conducted among 924 registered U.S. voters, showed Trump with a net favorability score of -9. In that poll, 41% of respondents had an unfavorable view of him, while 50% viewed him favorably. However, in Quinnipiac’s latest poll, conducted among 1,019 registered voters between January 23 and 27, Trump’s favorability rating rose to +2, with 47% viewing him favorably and 45% unfavorably.

Other polls, including those by YouGov and The Economist, Echelon Insights, and McLaughlin and Associates, also show an upward trend in Trump’s approval ratings, though not as dramatically as Quinnipiac’s results.

For example, YouGov and The Economist polling from January 12 to 14 showed Trump with a -6 favorability score (46% favorable, 52% unfavorable). By their January 26 to 28 poll, he had turned it around to +2 (50% favorable, 48% unfavorable).

Similarly, Echelon Insights polling from December 9 to 12 placed Trump at -2 favorability (48% favorable, 50% unfavorable). By January 22 to 27, he had climbed to +2 (50% favorable, 48% unfavorable).

McLaughlin and Associates also reported a shift, with Trump moving from -3 on December 13 to +3, a six-point swing.

Trump’s rise in approval coincides with historic highs in aggregate polling from FiveThirtyEight’s tracker, where his current net favorability is -0.7, a substantial improvement from -18.4 in January 2021 at the end of his first term.

While many polls show Trump’s approval increasing, a Gallup poll released Thursday found that 47% of respondents support his presidency so far. This figure is lower than all other elected presidents since 1953, making Trump the only president with an initial sub-50% approval rating. By comparison, former President Joe Biden had a 57% approval rating after his first week in office.

Trump’s rising favorability may be tied to support for his immigration policies, a central theme of his campaign. Since taking office, he has focused on rebuilding the southern border wall and increasing deportations of illegal immigrants.

According to the Quinnipiac poll, 60% of voters approve of deploying U.S. troops to the southern border, while 36% disapprove. Additionally, 44% of respondents support deporting all undocumented immigrants, while 39% back deporting only those convicted of violent crimes. Another 6% oppose both measures, with 10% expressing no opinion.

Trump has also gained traction among traditionally Democratic voters. An AtlasIntel poll conducted from January 21 to 23 found that 69% of Black voters approve of Trump’s job performance, compared to 50% of white voters. This shift may be linked to views on immigration, as 72% of Black voters in the poll ranked immigration as the most pressing issue facing the U.S.

Expert Insights

Quinnipiac University polling analyst Tim Malloy commented on Trump’s immigration policies: “The huge deployment of boots on the ground is not to a dicey, faraway war theater, but to the American border. And a majority of voters are just fine with that.”

Presidential historian Laura Smith of Oxford University noted: "Modern presidents normally begin their term with a so-called 'honeymoon' period, enabling them to be particularly active in their first 100 days. Trump has effectively convinced people to vote against their self-interest, including their economic interest, and soon rhetoric will turn into reality. Higher polls could reflect an appreciation of his version of strong leadership, but consequences, expected and unexpected, will be forthcoming."

Andrew David, a senior lecturer at Boston University, added: "A president typically has 12 to 18 months to accomplish their agenda before midterms shift the political landscape. As a lame duck upon entering office, Trump's authority may be tested as the 2028 race looms. This presidency presents unique challenges and uncharted political territory."

It remains uncertain whether Trump’s approval ratings will remain positive. Since taking office, he has signed over 100 executive orders focused on immigration, rolling back diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) policies, environmental protections, and imposing higher tariffs on countries such as China, Mexico, and Canada. The long-term impact of these policies and how they shape his approval ratings will unfold in the coming months.