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Trump Job Approval Falls Below 40 Percent in Latest Polls

President Donald Trump’s job approval rating has fallen to 39.9 percent in the RealClearPolitics average of polls. A New York Times survey released Monday showed 37 percent approval and 59 percent disapproval among registered voters.

Washington Examiner
1 source·May 18, 3:36 PM(11 days ago)·1m read
Trump Job Approval Falls Below 40 Percent in Latest PollsWashington Examiner
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President Donald Trump’s job approval rating has fallen below 40 percent for the first time in his current term. 9 percent approval and 57 percent disapproval. 5 percent. Multiple recent surveys have placed his approval in the mid-to-high 30s.

The New York Times survey showed a gender gap, with 44 percent of men and 29 percent of women approving of Trump’s performance. Approval among white respondents reached 45 percent, while approval among non-white respondents stood at 20 percent. Among 2024 Trump voters, approval measured 79 percent.

Sixty-four percent of respondents said Trump’s decision to go to war with Iran was the wrong decision, while 30 percent said it was the right decision. On the economy, 33 percent approved and 64 percent disapproved. On the generic congressional ballot, 50 percent said they would vote for the Democratic candidate and 39 percent said they would vote for the Republican candidate.

2 points. The current House balance stands at 217 Republicans to 212 Democrats, with one independent and five vacancies. Democrats could gain control by winning three or four additional seats. Trump has continued to consolidate influence within the Republican Party.

Over the weekend, Sen. Bill Cassidy lost a primary in Louisiana after Trump endorsed his opponent. The outcome leaves Trump with only two remaining Republican senators who voted to convict him in the 2021 impeachment trial.

Key Facts

39.9 percent
Current RealClearPolitics average approval rating
50 percent
Share favoring Democratic candidate on generic ballot
217-212
Current House Republican-Democrat seat balance
64 percent
Respondents who said war with Iran was wrong decision

Story Timeline

3 events
  1. January 2025

    Trump job approval stood at 50.5 percent.

    1 sourceWashington Examiner
  2. Monday

    New York Times poll showed 37 percent approval and 59 percent disapproval.

    1 sourceWashington Examiner
  3. Weekend

    Sen. Bill Cassidy lost Louisiana primary after Trump endorsed opponent.

    1 sourceWashington Examiner

Potential Impact

  1. 01

    Democrats could gain House control by winning three or four seats.

  2. 02

    Republicans may pursue additional redistricting efforts before November 2026.

Transparency Panel

Sources cross-referenced1
Confidence score65%
Synthesized bySubstrate AI
Word count233 words
PublishedMay 18, 2026, 3:36 PM
Bias signals removed2 across 2 outlets
Signal Breakdown
Loaded 1Editorializing 1

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