More than seven months into his second term, President Donald Trump continues to receive low approval ratings, most recent polls show.

Among several nationwide polls conducted from late August to early September, Americans largely had unfavorable views of Trump and his policies. His disapproval ratings were in the 50 percentage range, except one 47% disapproval rating in an Emerson College poll.

Trump’s approval ratings were lower, hovering between the upper 30 to upper 40 percentage range across several national polls.

Despite the lackluster results, Trump maintains strong backing within his party, as Republicans continue to support the president with over 80% approval ratings, polls show. Party divisions remain stark, Democrats are united in their opposition to Trump at over 90% disapproval. Among independents, ratings are more mixed, but nearly two-thirds disapprove of Trump.

The latest polls were taken as the Trump administration pushes forward with controversial policies like National Guard deployments to U.S. cities, tariffs and strict immigration enforcement.

Here’s what to know about President Trump’s recent approval ratings.

Donald Trump Approval Rating: How Did Trump Fare in California?

An Aug. 28 Civiqs poll showed that only 30% of California residents surveyed had a favorable opinion of the president. That means 67% had an unfavorable opinion while 3% were unsure.

A Sept. 5 poll from the site asked Americans about their approval of the president’s job. Only 29% of Californians approved of the president’s handling of his job. Black or African-American Californians polled had the lowest approval of Trump’s job at only 12%.

A poll by the Economist’s showed that only about 12 states had a net positive approval of the President during his first seven months into his second term. The rest of the states and Washington D.C. had a net negative approval, meaning most dissapproved.

California had a -33.2% net approval rating. The state landed somewhere in the upper-middle for most states, with Washington D.C. having the lowest net negative approval by far at -69%.

How Did the Quinnipiac University Poll Rank Trump?

Quinnipiac University:

• 55% disapprove of Trump’s job performance, while 37% approve
• The survey of 1,220 self-identified registered voters was conducted from Aug. 21-25, 2025, and has a margin of error ±3.4 percentage points, including the design effect.

How Did Trump Fare on the Issues?

The Quinnipiac University poll demonstrated voters’ strong disapproval for Trump policies on a variety of issues, from the Epstein files to foreign policy, crime, the economy and more.

Trump’s highest disapproval numbers were registered on questions about the Jeffrey Epstein files, with a 67% disapproval rating and 19% approval. The Trump administration has recently faced significant pushback for declining to release FBI investigative files related to Epstein, a financier and convicted child sex trafficker who died in jail in 2019.

How Do Americans’ Views of Trump Differ by Party Affiliation?

The poll reflects stark partisan divides, with support high among Republicans at 84% approval of Trump’s job performance. However, Democrats are staunchly opposed at 98% disapproval, and 58% of independents disapprove.

How Did the Emerson College Poll Rank Trump?

Emerson College:

• 47% disapprove of Trump’s job performance, while 45% approve
• The August poll’s results represent a steady disapproval rating and a 1 percentage point decrease in approval rating from the survey’s July results.
• The survey of 1,000 registered voters was conducted Aug. 25-26, 2025, and has a margin of error of ±3 percentage points.

The Emerson College poll did not break down party affiliation of respondents for Trump’s approval ratings.

How Did Trump Fare on the Issues?

Emerson College surveyed voters on plans to roll out the National Guard to support ICE efforts across 19 states led by the Trump administration. 48% disapproved of the move, while 44% approved, the poll showed.

Up to 1,700 National Guard members could deploy across 19 states, though less than 2% had as of Aug. 23, Fox News reported. The Trump administration’s recent deployment of the National Guard to address crime and immigration in Los Angeles, Washington, D.C., and potentially Chicago next has drawn controversy and legal battles, USA TODAY reported.

How Did the Rasmussen Reports Poll Rank Trump?

Rasmussen Reports:

• 51% disapprove of Trump, while 48% approve
• The poll results are from Sept. 3, 2025

The Rasmussen Reports survey did not break down party affiliation of respondents or Trump’s approval ratings on policy issues.

How Did the Reuters/Ipsos Poll Rank Trump?

Reuters/Ipsos:

• 54% disapprove of Trump’s job performance, while 40% approve
• The survey of 1,022 U.S. adults was conducted Aug. 22-24, 2025, and has a margin of error of ±3 percentage points.

How Did Trump Fare on the Issues?

Trump’s economic policies remain unpopular, with 55% disapproval and 37% approval, similar to ratings during summer 2025, Reuters/Ipsos polls show.

His approach to immigration registered 51% disapproval and 43% approval, reflecting similar ratings throughout the summer, according to Reuters/Ipsos polling.

On the Trump administration’s deployment of the National Guard to Washington, D.C., 46% are opposed, while 38% support the move, the poll says. Along party lines, divisions are starker, with 76% of Republicans supporting the policy, 80% of Democrats opposed and 52% of independents opposed.

How do Americans’ views of Trump differ by party affiliation?

Trump is overwhelmingly supported by Republicans, disliked by Democrats and disapproved of by about two-thirds of independents, per Reuters/Ipsos polling data.

How Did the Economist/YouGov Poll Rank Trump?

Economist/YouGov:

• 55% disapprove of Trump’s job performance, while 41% approve
• The survey of 1,691 U.S. adults was conducted Aug. 29 to Sept. 2, 2025, and has a margin of error of ±3.4 percentage points.

How Did Trump Fare on the Issues?

On jobs and the economy, 53% disapprove of Trump’s approach and 38% approve. The poll says 62% disapprove of how Trump handles inflation/prices, while 32% approve.

As the Trump administration sends National Guard members to U.S. cities, the poll showed 49% oppose sending federal troops to combat crime in cities, while 42% support the move.

Ratings are mixed on immigration, with 48% disapproving of Trump’s handling of the topic, while 47% approve.

How Do Americans’ Views of Trump Differ by Party Affiliation?

Approval ratings and policy issues in the Economist/YouGov poll reflect broader partisan trends, with strong backing for Trump from Republicans, staunch opposition from Democrats and nearly two-thirds of independents disapproving.

Trump has an 87% approval rating among Republicans, 94% disapproval rating from Democrats and 63% disapproval rating from independents, the poll showed.

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USA TODAY contributed.
Contact Jenna Prestininzi: jprestininzi@freepress.com.
Ernesto Centeno Araujo covers breaking news for the Ventura County Star. He can be reached at ecentenoaraujo@vcstar.com, 805-437-0224 or @ecentenoaraujo on Instagram and X.
This article originally appeared on Ventura County Star: Donald Trump approval rating: Where the president stands with Californians
Reporting by Jenna Prestininzi and Ernesto Centeno Araujo, Ventura County Star / Ventura County Star
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