Donald Trump’s favorability rating has recently reached new heights, according to the latest polling data. While this is a significant milestone, it is important to note that, despite his rise in popularity, Trump remains the least popular president in modern history, a position he’s held since at least 1953.
Typically, presidents see a boost in favorability during their initial months in office, benefiting from what is known as a “honeymoon period.” This is especially true when a new leader enjoys broad support after a successful election. However, Trump’s path has been a bit different. Even though he didn’t experience a dramatic spike in popularity like some past presidents, he has now reached his highest favorability level since entering politics.
Recent data from Real Clear Politics shows that Trump’s favorability rating has edged into positive territory, with an average of +1.2 points. Currently, 48.9% of voters view him favorably, while 47.7% have an unfavorable opinion. This marks only the second time Trump’s favorability has crossed into positive numbers, the first being a brief period in December 2016. His previous ratings were consistently negative, with a low point of -35.2% in April 2016.
FiveThirtyEight’s favorability tracker shows a similar trend. While Trump has never maintained a consistent positive favorability, his current average of -0.6 is a dramatic improvement over his post-2020 election lows of -18%.
Trump’s surge in popularity is evident in multiple national polls, including a recent Quinnipiac University survey where his favorability jumped to +2, with 47% of respondents viewing him favorably. Other polls from YouGov, McLaughlin and Associates, and The Economist also show a marked increase in his approval ratings.
Interestingly, Trump’s ratings have climbed since assuming office for a second term, suggesting that voters are increasingly supportive of his leadership. A Gallup poll released in late January shows 47% approval, indicating rising confidence in his presidency despite a challenging political landscape.
While these numbers are impressive for Trump, they remain below the typical favorability ratings of other presidents. For instance, Joe Biden’s approval rating stood at 57% after his first week in office. Nevertheless, Trump’s approval reflects the widespread support he enjoys, especially on key issues such as immigration reform.
Polls indicate that Trump’s immigration policies, in particular, resonate with a majority of voters. A New York Times/Ipsos survey found that 55% of Americans support his mass deportation plan, with 88% backing the deportation of immigrants who have criminal records. This broad backing highlights the growing dissatisfaction with the current state of immigration laws and the belief that change is needed.
As Trump moves forward in his second term, it’s clear that his political influence remains strong, and with key issues like immigration at the forefront, his favorability could continue to rise. However, only time will tell whether these gains are sustained and whether he can overcome the low bar set by his historical ratings.