Donald Trump’s political career has always been marked by division. Loved intensely by his supporters and equally disliked by his critics, his approval rating has been one of the most closely watched metrics in U.S. politics since he first entered the White House in 2017. Even today, during his second term, questions about how popular he remains — and where — are critical for understanding the country’s political landscape heading into future elections.
Recent polls from Gallup, Quinnipiac, and Morning Consult offer a detailed look at how Americans view Trump nationally and at the state level. The results reveal a nation split, but not evenly: while Trump retains strongholds of support across conservative regions, he faces deep hostility in liberal states and growing challenges among independent voters.
Trump’s National Approval Rating
Nationally, Trump’s approval rating hovers at around 40%, according to Gallup’s most recent survey. This figure is fairly consistent with where he has been throughout his presidency and into his second term. Despite fluctuations driven by particular controversies — ranging from his handling of the pandemic, trade tariffs, and immigration, to his deployment of the National Guard during protests — Trump’s approval rating has displayed remarkable stability compared with some past presidents.
Still, his most recent approval numbers show signs of weakening. A Quinnipiac University poll recorded Trump’s approval at 37%, the lowest of his second term. Much of this decline can be traced to falling support among independent voters, once a crucial swing bloc. According to Gallup, independents now approve of Trump at only 29%, marking an all-time low.
Among Republicans, however, Trump remains extremely popular, with approval ratings around 90%, showing the deep partisan divide that continues to define U.S. politics. Meanwhile, Democrats overwhelmingly disapprove, with approval in the low single digits.
Most Popular States: Where Trump’s Support Is Strongest
Despite his national challenges, Trump continues to enjoy overwhelming popularity in many states, particularly across the Mountain West, the South, and parts of the Midwest.
Wyoming
According to Morning Consult’s state-level tracker, Wyoming is Trump’s strongest state, with about 66% of voters approving of his performance. This mirrors his long-standing dominance in Wyoming during national elections, where Republican candidates consistently win by wide margins.
Other Conservative Strongholds
States like West Virginia, Oklahoma, North Dakota, South Dakota, and Alabama also show Trump with positive net approval ratings. In these states, cultural conservatism, energy industry ties, and strong Republican loyalty all contribute to Trump’s popularity.
Swing States Leaning His Way
Even in some battlegrounds, Trump holds ground. Nevada, Georgia, and North Carolina currently give him positive net approval ratings. These are significant because they are states that Democrats hope to win in future elections, but Trump’s ability to remain competitive shows his enduring appeal among working-class and rural voters, particularly when economic concerns dominate.
Least Popular States: Where Trump Struggles
On the flip side, Trump faces strong disapproval in states with large urban populations, progressive political leanings, or histories of voting for Democrats.
Vermont
Vermont remains Trump’s weakest state, with overwhelmingly negative approval ratings. The small New England state has long been a liberal bastion, producing politicians like Senator Bernie Sanders. Trump’s policies on climate change, immigration, and social issues clash directly with the state’s values, leaving him deeply unpopular there.
Other Liberal Strongholds
Trump’s approval is also sharply negative in California, Massachusetts, Maryland, and New York. These states’ large metropolitan areas, diverse populations, and liberal voting histories make them natural centers of opposition.
Swing States That Disapprove
In contrast to Georgia and North Carolina, Trump struggles in Arizona, Michigan, and Pennsylvania, all of which show neutral to negative net approval ratings. These states are crucial to determining electoral outcomes, and Trump’s vulnerability here could spell challenges for his political future.
What Explains the Divide?
Several factors drive the stark contrast in Trump’s approval ratings between states.
Partisanship
At its core, Trump’s approval rating reflects the deep partisan divide in the U.S. Republicans overwhelmingly approve, Democrats overwhelmingly disapprove, and independents swing back and forth. This polarization explains why Trump can maintain strong support in conservative states while facing overwhelming rejection in liberal ones.
Economic Concerns
Trump’s trade policies and tariffs resonated with parts of rural America, particularly farmers and manufacturing workers who saw him as defending American industry. However, those same policies hurt small businesses and raised costs in urban and suburban areas, driving disapproval.
Cultural Issues
Cultural identity plays a major role. Trump’s messaging on immigration, gun rights, and “law and order” resonates with conservative states that value tradition and skepticism of federal intervention. In liberal states that emphasize diversity, climate policy, and social progress, the same rhetoric alienates voters.
Independent Voters
The decline among independents is especially important. Many supported Trump initially for his outsider status and economic promises, but growing disillusionment with his leadership style and divisive politics has eroded that base. Their disapproval has helped drag his national numbers down.
A State-by-State Summary
Here’s a quick breakdown based on Morning Consult’s data:
- Most Popular State: Wyoming (66% approval)
- Other High Approval States: West Virginia, North Dakota, South Dakota, Oklahoma, Alabama
- Battlegrounds Leaning Positive: Nevada, Georgia, North Carolina
- Least Popular State: Vermont (overwhelming disapproval)
- Other Negative Approval States: California, New York, Massachusetts, Maryland
- Key Swing States Neutral/Negative: Arizona, Michigan, Pennsylvania
Why Approval Ratings Matter
Presidential approval ratings are not just numbers; they influence real-world politics. They affect midterm elections, state-level contests, and the ability of a president to push legislation through Congress.
For Trump, high approval in conservative states ensures loyalty within the Republican Party and gives him a strong foundation for national campaigns. However, his low ratings in swing states and among independents pose serious challenges for building a coalition broad enough to win a general election.
Furthermore, approval ratings shape international perceptions of American leadership. A president with weak domestic support may face difficulties negotiating trade deals or asserting influence abroad.
Conclusion: A Nation Divided
Donald Trump’s approval ratings highlight the reality of modern American politics: a nation deeply divided along partisan, geographic, and cultural lines. While Trump remains a hero in states like Wyoming and West Virginia, he is equally reviled in Vermont, California, and New York.
Nationally, his approval rating sits around 40%, but the most telling story is not the number itself — it’s the distribution. Trump’s popularity is not evenly spread; it is concentrated in conservative states, while liberal states show near-total rejection.
This divide underscores the challenges ahead for Trump and for American democracy. Approval ratings don’t just reflect how people feel about a president; they reveal the fractures within the country itself.
