Trump’s Approval Rating and Midterm Implications

President Donald Trump’s approval rating is declining across most American states on Memorial Day, as recent polls emphasize the nation’s political and geographic divisions.

Approval Ratings Overview

The Civiqs daily online tracking poll, with inputs from 106,368 individuals gathered between January 20, 2025, and May 23, 2026, reveals Trump’s approval is negative in 36 states and positive in 14. This indicates a significant erosion of support beyond Republican areas.

This polling data comes on Memorial Day, a federal holiday on May 25, dedicated to U.S. Armed Forces members who died in service.

Midterm Election Significance

Trump’s approval rating is crucial as midterm elections approach. Midterms are an opportunity for voters to express their views on his presidency, even when he isn’t on the ballot. Historically, they influence the remaining legislative agenda of the sitting president. Key elections could shift the power balance in the U.S.

Traditionally, the party not controlling the White House performs better in midterms. In 2018, Republicans lost the House. As Republicans maintain slim majorities in Congress, losing either chamber would limit their legislative capabilities.

Newsweek used Civiqs data to create a map depicting Trump’s approval rating across states.

Key Findings

• Nationally, Trump’s approval is at 36%, with a 59% disapproval rate, based on a Civiqs poll of over 106,000 registered voters.
• Support is strongest in conservative states like Wyoming (+26) and West Virginia (+16).
• Only 14 states show positive net approval, while 36 states report more disapproval, showcasing a divided political landscape.
• In deeply Democratic states, disapproval rates reach or exceed 70%, particularly in Hawaii, Vermont, and Maryland.

States With Highest Approval

Trump’s strongest approval ratings appear in heavily Republican states that supported him significantly in the 2024 election. In these areas, including the Plains, Mountain West, and Appalachia, approval remains positive, reflecting a steadfast base.

Wyoming leads with a net approval of 26 points. North Dakota follows with a 17-point approval, and West Virginia with 16 points.

Idaho (+14) and Alabama (+11) also rank among the top, consistent with their Republican alignment.

States With Lowest Approval

Democratic states that opposed Trump in 2024 show the weakest approval. Prominent opposition exists on the West Coast and in the Northeast.

Hawaii (-61), Vermont (-57), and Maryland (-50) have the lowest net approval rates. Disapproval rates often surpass 70%, with limited signs of change over time. California and Massachusetts (both -45) also record low approval, indicating strong Democratic resistance.

Additional Polling Insights

The Civiqs results coincide with other unfavorable polls for Trump. A New York Times/Siena College poll recorded a 59% disapproval, a peak for that survey.

A CNN poll from May 12 revealed a 66% overall disapproval rating, the highest during Trump’s nonconsecutive presidential terms. This poll surveyed 1,507 registered voters with a margin of error of 2.8 percentage points.

Trump’s Memorial Day Remarks

On Memorial Day, Trump criticized Democrats as “Dumocrats” in a post on Truth Social. He wrote: “Happy Memorial Day to all, including the Dumocrats, who disrespect our Military and all of the tremendous success that it has had over the last year. God Bless those that have made the ultimate sacrifice. I love you all! President DONALD J. TRUMP”

In another message, he stated: “The Dumocrats have BAD POLICY, AND BAD CANDIDATES. Other than that, they are doing quite well! President DJT”

White House Reaction

While the White House hasn’t commented on the new polling, spokesman Davis Ingle previously emphasized Trump’s victory in November 2024 as a decisive approval of his agenda by nearly 80 million Americans.