Trump dismisses polls and insists approval rating is 60% despite weaker surveys

Trump disputes the polling figures

Trump questioned reports that his job approval was 37 or 38 percent and said he did not accept a figure that low. He said he believed his support could be near 60 percent if he needed to make that case.

Surveys show lower approval

The New York Times/Siena College survey released this week also put approval at 34 percent. The newspaper said that was the lowest rating for a president nearing midterms since Truman received 33 percent in 1946.

Support varies among Republicans

Trump cited analysis by CNN chief data analyst Harry Enten, which found his backing among MAGA Republicans remained close to universal. Enten reported Trump won 99 percent of the MAGA Republican vote in 2024 and had 98 percent approval within that group in September.

Trump said he believed his support was in the 60s and referred to the 99 percent figure. He praised Enten and CNN for polling that showed his strength among Republican voters.

Inflation measure moves lower

Enten also reported a sharp change in Trump’s net approval rating on inflation. It fell from plus 8 points in 2024 to minus 45 ahead of the midterms. The article gives Trump’s personal estimate as both “closer to 60 percent” and “in the 60s,” while the cited surveys range from 30 to 34 percent approval.