21. May 2026
Trump Approval Rating Hits New Low
WASHINGTON— President Donald Trump’s approval rating among Republican voters has fallen to its lowest level recorded in a Fox News poll, according to new survey results released Wednesday, reflecting growing unease inside the GOP over the economy, foreign policy tensions and political infighting ahead of the 2026 midterm elections.
The poll found Trump maintaining majority support within the Republican Party, but at a noticeably reduced margin compared with previous surveys conducted during his second term. While Trump continues to dominate the GOP political landscape, the decline signals mounting frustration among some conservative voters over inflation concerns, government spending battles and the administration’s increasingly combative approach toward dissenting Republicans.
According to the survey, Trump’s overall approval rating also remained underwater with independent voters, a warning sign for Republicans seeking to defend competitive congressional districts next year.
Fox News did not immediately release full cross-tabulations, but the poll showed erosion among suburban conservatives and younger Republican voters — groups that were critical to Trump’s electoral coalition in 2024.
The White House dismissed the poll as an outlier.
“President Trump remains the unquestioned leader of the Republican Party and continues delivering on the promises he made to the American people,” White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said in a statement. “The economy is growing, the border is secure, and America is respected again on the world stage.”
Still, the numbers arrive as Trump faces growing criticism from some corners of his own party over escalating political feuds and controversial policy decisions.
Rep. Thomas Massie, R-Ky., who has frequently clashed with Trump on spending and executive power issues, recently accused the administration of abandoning conservative fiscal principles. Other Republicans have voiced concern about the political impact of continued attacks on GOP lawmakers viewed as insufficiently loyal to the president.
Several Senate Republicans have also expressed unease over the administration’s handling of international conflicts, including rising tensions in the Middle East and growing fears of broader U.S. military involvement overseas.
“The base still supports Trump overwhelmingly, but there are warning lights flashing,” said Whit Ayres, a Republican pollster not affiliated with the Fox survey. “When approval drops within your own party, even modestly, it can affect turnout, enthusiasm and fundraising.”
Democrats seized on the poll as evidence that Trump’s grip on Republican voters may be weakening after months of internal party divisions.
“Americans are exhausted by the chaos and constant political warfare,” Democratic National Committee spokesperson Sarafina Chitika said. “Even Republican voters are beginning to question whether this administration is focused on their lives or on settling scores.”
Despite the decline, Trump remains the dominant figure in Republican politics. No major GOP challenger has emerged capable of threatening his influence over the party, and most Republican lawmakers continue to align themselves closely with the White House.
The Fox News poll was conducted nationwide among registered voters and included interviews with Republican voters across multiple regions. The margin of error was not immediately available.
The survey adds to a growing body of polling showing Trump maintaining strong support among core conservatives while encountering softening enthusiasm among moderates and independents — groups likely to play a decisive role in the 2026 elections.