Several pollsters have reported varying approval ratings for President Donald Trump since his return to the White House, highlighting how perceptions of his performance differ depending on the poll.

Approval Ratings Below 50%: Some pollsters, such as Reuters/Ipsos, have shown a 3% decrease of Americans who approve of Trump’s job performance since starting his second term. Reuters/Ipsos also showed a 51% disapproval rate, a 10% rise since January 20. Other pollsters, such as FiveThirtyEight, have consistently shown unfavorable ratings exceeding favorable ones since 2021. A Gallup poll has also weighed in, with the latest job approval rating at 47%.

Approval Ratings Above 50%: Rasmussen Reports’ Daily Presidential Tracking Poll has shown total approval ratings for Trump since January 23 at 50% or higher, with the latest result showing 53% approval. Rasmussen also showed rising percentages of those who strongly disapprove, with the latest figure at 37%. A SurveyUSA poll has also shown a 51% approval rating and a 45% disapproval. Morning Consult showed drops in favorability over the past three weeks but has shown some stabilization with the latest approvability rating at 50%.

How The Media Covered It: Media across the political spectrum seemed to focus on different aspects of the various polling numbers. Outlets such as Vox (Left bias), recognized that the polls have shown a majority of Americans approval for Trump, but questioned how long these numbers may last against Trump’s “governing with chaos, shock, and awe.”  Other outlets, like Reuters (Center) highlighted polls showing Trump’s rating slipping “as Americans worry about the economy,” while Newsweek (Center) highlighted three surveys showing at least a 50% approval rating. Other sources like the Washington Examiner (Lean Right), highlighted the Rasmussen poll while saying “Americans have the best outlook for the nation” than ever before, even though “liberal media” have “spun out negative stories” about Trump and Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE).