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United States presidential approval rating

Updated: 11/6/2025, 12:12:33 AM Wikipedia source

In the United States, presidential job approval ratings were first conducted by George Gallup (estimated to be 1937) to gauge public support for the president of the United States during their term. An approval rating is a percentage determined by polling which indicates the percentage of respondents to an opinion poll who approve of a particular person or program. Typically, an approval rating is given to a politician based on responses to a poll in which a sample of people are asked whether they approve or disapprove of that particular political figure. A question might ask: "Do you approve or disapprove of the way that the current president is handling their job as president?" Like most surveys that measure opinions, individual poll results may be inaccurate. Many unscientific approval rating systems exist that show inaccurate statistics. Examples that self select, such as online questions, are of this type; however, the aggregate approval rating is generally accepted by statisticians as a statistically valid indicator of the comparative changes in the popular U.S. mood regarding a president. George W. Bush registered a 90% job approval rating (the highest in Gallup's tracking) shortly after the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001. Harry S. Truman registered a 22% job approval rating (the lowest in Gallup's tracking) in a survey conducted February 9–14, 1952.

Tables

Historical Gallup Poll approval highs and lows for each president since 1937[4][5][6][a] · Historical comparison
Avg
Avg
#
Avg
President
Highest
Years in office
Lowest
Approval
Diff
Approval
Highest
Approval
Lowest
Approval
Highest
Disapproval
Lowest
47
47
#
47
President
Donald Trump
Years in office
2025–
Approval
TBD
Approval
47(2025-01-27)
Approval
37(2025-07-21)
Approval
10
Disapproval
58(2025-07-21)
Disapproval
48(2025-01-27)
Margin
−1(2025-01-27)
Margin
−21(2025-07-21)
Final poll
TBD
46
46
#
46
President
Joe Biden
Years in office
2021–2025
Approval
42
Approval
57(2021-02-02, 2021-04-21)
Approval
36(2024-07-21)
Approval
21
Disapproval
59(2022-07-26, 2023-04-25, 2023-10-23, 2023-11-21, 2023-12-20, 2024-02-20)
Disapproval
37(2021-02-02)
Margin
20(2021-02-02)
Margin
−22(2023-04-25, 2023-10-23, 2023-11-21, 2024-07-21)
Final poll
40(2025-01-15)
Pollsper year
12
45
45
#
45
President
Donald Trump
Years in office
2017–2021
Approval
41
Approval
49(2020-01-29, 2020-02-16, 2020-03-22, 2020-04-28, 2020-05-13)
Approval
34(2021-01-15)
Approval
15
Disapproval
62(2021-01-15)
Disapproval
45(2017-01-22, 2020-03-22)
Margin
4(2020-03-22)
Margin
−28 (2021-01-15)
Final poll
34 (2021-01-15)
Pollsper year
40
44
44
#
44
President
Barack Obama
Years in office
2009–2017
Approval
48
Approval
69(2009-01-24)
Approval
38(2014-09-05)
Approval
31
Disapproval
57(2014-10-10)
Disapproval
12(2009-01-23)
Margin
56(2009-01-23, 2009-01-24)
Margin
−18(2014-10-10)
Final poll
59(2017-01-19)
Pollsper year
48.4
43
43
#
43
President
George W. Bush
Years in office
2001–2009
Approval
49
Approval
90(2001-09-22)
Approval
25(2008-10-05, 2008-10-12, 2008-11-02)
Approval
65
Disapproval
71(2008-10-10)
Disapproval
6(2001-09-22)
Margin
84(2001-09-22)
Margin
−46(2008-10-12)
Final poll
34(2009-01-11)
Pollsper year
33.7
42
42
#
42
President
Bill Clinton
Years in office
1993–2001
Approval
55
Approval
73(1998-12-20)
Approval
37(1993-06-06)
Approval
36
Disapproval
54(1994-09-07)
Disapproval
20(1993-01-26)
Margin
48(1998-12-20)
Margin
−14(1994-09-07)
Final poll
66(2001-01-14)
Pollsper year
28.5
41
41
#
41
President
George H. W. Bush
Years in office
1989–1993
Approval
61
Approval
89(1991-02-28)
Approval
29(1992-08-02)
Approval
60
Disapproval
60(1992-07-31)
Disapproval
6(1989-01-26)
Margin
82(1991-03-03)
Margin
−30(1992-08-02, 1992-10-13)
Final poll
56(1993-01-11)
Pollsper year
39.5
40
40
#
40
President
Ronald Reagan
Years in office
1981–1989
Approval
53
Approval
68(1986-05-19)
Approval
35(1983-01-31)
Approval
33
Disapproval
56(1983-01-31)
Disapproval
13(1981-02-02)
Margin
49(1981-04-06)
Margin
−21(1983-01-31)
Final poll
63(1988-12-29)
Pollsper year
37.0
39
39
#
39
President
Jimmy Carter
Years in office
1977–1981
Approval
46
Approval
75(1977-03-21)
Approval
28(1979-07-02)
Approval
47
Disapproval
59(1979-07-02)
Disapproval
8(1977-02-07, 1977-03-02)
Margin
66(1977-03-15)
Margin
−31(1979-07-02)
Final poll
34(1980-12-08)
Pollsper year
22.7
38
38
#
38
President
Gerald Ford
Years in office
1974–1977
Approval
47
Approval
71(1974-08-19)
Approval
37(1975-03-31)
Approval
34
Disapproval
48(1975-03-31)
Disapproval
3(1974-08-19)
Margin
67(1974-08-13)
Margin
−11(1975-03-31)
Final poll
53(1976-12-13)
Pollsper year
14.7
37
37
#
37
President
Richard Nixon
Years in office
1969–1974
Approval
49
Approval
67(1969-11-17, 1973-01-29)
Approval
24(1974-07-15, 1974-07-26, 1974-08-05)
Approval
43
Disapproval
66(1974-08-05)
Disapproval
5(1969-01-28)
Margin
57(1969-03-17)
Margin
−42(1974-08-05)
Final poll
24(1974-08-05)
Pollsper year
17.7
36
36
#
36
President
Lyndon B. Johnson
Years in office
1963–1969
Approval
55
Approval
79(1964-03-05)
Approval
35(1968-08-12)
Approval
44
Disapproval
53(1968-08-12)
Disapproval
2(1963-12-10)
Margin
75(1963-12-10)
Margin
−18(1968-08-12)
Final poll
49(1969-01-06)
Pollsper year
15.3
35
35
#
35
President
John F. Kennedy
Years in office
1961–1963
Approval
70
Approval
82(1961-05-03, 1961-06-06)
Approval
56(1963-09-17)
Approval
26
Disapproval
30(1963-11-13)
Disapproval
5(1961-04-11)
Margin
77(1961-05-03)
Margin
27(1963-09-17)
Final poll
58(1963-11-13)
Pollsper year
13.7
34
34
#
34
President
Dwight D. Eisenhower
Years in office
1953–1961
Approval
65
Approval
79(1956-12-19)
Approval
48(1958-04-01)
Approval
31
Disapproval
36(1958-04-01)
Disapproval
7(1953-02-05)
Margin
66(1953-04-02, 1956-12-19)
Margin
12(1958-04-01)
Final poll
59(1960-12-13)
Pollsper year
14.4
33
33
#
33
President
Harry Truman
Years in office
1945–1953
Approval
45
Approval
87(1945-06-05)
Approval
22(1951-11-16, 1952-02-14)
Approval
65
Disapproval
67(1952-01-06)
Disapproval
3(1945-06-05)
Margin
85(1945-08-22)
Margin
−43(1952-01-04)
Final poll
32(1952-12-16)
Pollsper year
8.4
32
32
#
32
President
Franklin D. Roosevelt
Years in office
1933–1945
Approval
63
Approval
83(1942-01-23)
Approval
48(1939-08-18)
Approval
35
Disapproval
46(1938-05-22, 1938-05-29, 1938-11-07)
Margin
73(1942-01-23)
Final poll
65(1943-12-15)
Pollsper year
8
#
President
Years in office
Approval
Disapproval
Margin
Final poll
Pollsper year
Avg
Highest
Lowest
Diff
Highest
Lowest
Highest
Lowest
47
Donald Trump
2025–
TBD
47(2025-01-27)
37(2025-07-21)
10
58(2025-07-21)
48(2025-01-27)
−1(2025-01-27)
−21(2025-07-21)
TBD
46
Joe Biden
2021–2025
42
57(2021-02-02, 2021-04-21)
36(2024-07-21)
21
59(2022-07-26, 2023-04-25, 2023-10-23, 2023-11-21, 2023-12-20, 2024-02-20)
37(2021-02-02)
20(2021-02-02)
−22(2023-04-25, 2023-10-23, 2023-11-21, 2024-07-21)
40(2025-01-15)
12
45
Donald Trump
2017–2021
41
49(2020-01-29, 2020-02-16, 2020-03-22, 2020-04-28, 2020-05-13)
34(2021-01-15)
15
62(2021-01-15)
45(2017-01-22, 2020-03-22)
4(2020-03-22)
−28 (2021-01-15)
34 (2021-01-15)
40
44
Barack Obama
2009–2017
48
69(2009-01-24)
38(2014-09-05)
31
57(2014-10-10)
12(2009-01-23)
56(2009-01-23, 2009-01-24)
−18(2014-10-10)
59(2017-01-19)
48.4
43
George W. Bush
2001–2009
49
90(2001-09-22)
25(2008-10-05, 2008-10-12, 2008-11-02)
65
71(2008-10-10)
6(2001-09-22)
84(2001-09-22)
−46(2008-10-12)
34(2009-01-11)
33.7
42
Bill Clinton
1993–2001
55
73(1998-12-20)
37(1993-06-06)
36
54(1994-09-07)
20(1993-01-26)
48(1998-12-20)
−14(1994-09-07)
66(2001-01-14)
28.5
41
George H. W. Bush
1989–1993
61
89(1991-02-28)
29(1992-08-02)
60
60(1992-07-31)
6(1989-01-26)
82(1991-03-03)
−30(1992-08-02, 1992-10-13)
56(1993-01-11)
39.5
40
Ronald Reagan
1981–1989
53
68(1986-05-19)
35(1983-01-31)
33
56(1983-01-31)
13(1981-02-02)
49(1981-04-06)
−21(1983-01-31)
63(1988-12-29)
37.0
39
Jimmy Carter
1977–1981
46
75(1977-03-21)
28(1979-07-02)
47
59(1979-07-02)
8(1977-02-07, 1977-03-02)
66(1977-03-15)
−31(1979-07-02)
34(1980-12-08)
22.7
38
Gerald Ford
1974–1977
47
71(1974-08-19)
37(1975-03-31)
34
48(1975-03-31)
3(1974-08-19)
67(1974-08-13)
−11(1975-03-31)
53(1976-12-13)
14.7
37
Richard Nixon
1969–1974
49
67(1969-11-17, 1973-01-29)
24(1974-07-15, 1974-07-26, 1974-08-05)
43
66(1974-08-05)
5(1969-01-28)
57(1969-03-17)
−42(1974-08-05)
24(1974-08-05)
17.7
36
Lyndon B. Johnson
1963–1969
55
79(1964-03-05)
35(1968-08-12)
44
53(1968-08-12)
2(1963-12-10)
75(1963-12-10)
−18(1968-08-12)
49(1969-01-06)
15.3
35
John F. Kennedy
1961–1963
70
82(1961-05-03, 1961-06-06)
56(1963-09-17)
26
30(1963-11-13)
5(1961-04-11)
77(1961-05-03)
27(1963-09-17)
58(1963-11-13)
13.7
34
Dwight D. Eisenhower
1953–1961
65
79(1956-12-19)
48(1958-04-01)
31
36(1958-04-01)
7(1953-02-05)
66(1953-04-02, 1956-12-19)
12(1958-04-01)
59(1960-12-13)
14.4
33
Harry Truman
1945–1953
45
87(1945-06-05)
22(1951-11-16, 1952-02-14)
65
67(1952-01-06)
3(1945-06-05)
85(1945-08-22)
−43(1952-01-04)
32(1952-12-16)
8.4
32
Franklin D. Roosevelt
1933–1945
63
83(1942-01-23)
48(1939-08-18)
35
46(1938-05-22, 1938-05-29, 1938-11-07)
73(1942-01-23)
65(1943-12-15)
8
Historical Gallup Poll approval at the beginning of each presidency since 1953[25] · Historical comparison › Approval at the beginning of the presidency
47
47
Presidency
47
President
Trump
Initial approval
47 (2025-01-29)
Initial disapproval
48 (2025-01-29)
46
46
Presidency
46
President
Biden
Initial approval
57 (2021-02-02)
Initial disapproval
37 (2021-02-02)
45
45
Presidency
45
President
Trump
Initial approval
45 (2017-01-22)
Initial disapproval
45 (2017-01-22)
44
44
Presidency
44
President
Obama
Initial approval
68 (2009-01-23)
Initial disapproval
12 (2009-01-23)
43
43
Presidency
43
President
G. W. Bush
Initial approval
57 (2001-02-05)
Initial disapproval
25 (2001-02-05)
42
42
Presidency
42
President
Clinton
Initial approval
58 (1993-01-24)
Initial disapproval
20 (1993-01-24)
41
41
Presidency
41
President
G. H. W. Bush
Initial approval
51 (1989-01-26)
Initial disapproval
6 (1989-01-26)
40
40
Presidency
40
President
Reagan
Initial approval
51 (1981-02-02)
Initial disapproval
13 (1981-02-02)
39
39
Presidency
39
President
Carter
Initial approval
66 (1977-01-07)
Initial disapproval
8 (1977-01-07)
38
38
Presidency
38
President
Ford
Initial approval
71 (1974-08-19)
Initial disapproval
3 (1974-08-19)
37
37
Presidency
37
President
Nixon
Initial approval
59 (1969-01-28)
Initial disapproval
5 (1969-01-28)
36
36
Presidency
36
President
Johnson
Initial approval
78 (1963-12-10)
Initial disapproval
2 (1963-12-10)
35
35
Presidency
35
President
Kennedy
Initial approval
72 (1961-02-15)
Initial disapproval
6 (1961-02-15)
34
34
Presidency
34
President
Eisenhower
Initial approval
68 (1953-02-05)
Initial disapproval
7 (1953-02-05)
33
33
Presidency
33
President
Truman
Initial approval
87 (1945-06-05)
Initial disapproval
3 (1945-06-05)
Presidency
President
Initial approval
Initial disapproval
47
Trump
47 (2025-01-29)
48 (2025-01-29)
46
Biden
57 (2021-02-02)
37 (2021-02-02)
45
Trump
45 (2017-01-22)
45 (2017-01-22)
44
Obama
68 (2009-01-23)
12 (2009-01-23)
43
G. W. Bush
57 (2001-02-05)
25 (2001-02-05)
42
Clinton
58 (1993-01-24)
20 (1993-01-24)
41
G. H. W. Bush
51 (1989-01-26)
6 (1989-01-26)
40
Reagan
51 (1981-02-02)
13 (1981-02-02)
39
Carter
66 (1977-01-07)
8 (1977-01-07)
38
Ford
71 (1974-08-19)
3 (1974-08-19)
37
Nixon
59 (1969-01-28)
5 (1969-01-28)
36
Johnson
78 (1963-12-10)
2 (1963-12-10)
35
Kennedy
72 (1961-02-15)
6 (1961-02-15)
34
Eisenhower
68 (1953-02-05)
7 (1953-02-05)
33
Truman
87 (1945-06-05)
3 (1945-06-05)
Historical average polling approval of each presidency since 1953. Polling figures are the unweighted mean of both polling averages reported by Real Clear Politics and FiveThirtyEight.[26][27][28] · Historical comparison › Historical net approval of each presidency
47
47
Presidency
47
President
Trump
Average initial approval
47
Average initial disapproval
41
Net initial approval
+6
Average final approval
Average final disapproval
Net final approval
Initial to final change
46
46
Presidency
46
President
Biden
Average initial approval
57.5
Average initial disapproval
37.5
Net initial approval
+20
Average final approval
37.9
Average final disapproval
56.9
Net final approval
-19
Initial to final change
-39
45
45
Presidency
45
President
Trump
Average initial approval
45
Average initial disapproval
45
Net initial approval
0
Average final approval
41.1
Average final disapproval
56.1
Net final approval
-15
Initial to final change
-15
44
44
Presidency
44
President
Obama
Average initial approval
68.5
Average initial disapproval
12.5
Net initial approval
+56
Average final approval
59
Average final disapproval
37
Net final approval
+22
Initial to final change
-34
43
43
Presidency
43
President
G. W. Bush
Average initial approval
57
Average initial disapproval
25
Net initial approval
+32
Average final approval
34
Average final disapproval
61
Net final approval
-27
Initial to final change
-59
42
42
Presidency
42
President
Clinton
Average initial approval
58
Average initial disapproval
20
Net initial approval
+38
Average final approval
66
Average final disapproval
29
Net final approval
+37
Initial to final change
-1
41
41
Presidency
41
President
G. H. W. Bush
Average initial approval
51
Average initial disapproval
6
Net initial approval
+45
Average final approval
56
Average final disapproval
37
Net final approval
+19
Initial to final change
-26
40
40
Presidency
40
President
Reagan
Average initial approval
51
Average initial disapproval
13
Net initial approval
+38
Average final approval
63
Average final disapproval
29
Net final approval
+34
Initial to final change
-4
39
39
Presidency
39
President
Carter
Average initial approval
66
Average initial disapproval
8
Net initial approval
+58
Average final approval
34
Average final disapproval
55
Net final approval
-21
Initial to final change
-79
38
38
Presidency
38
President
Ford
Average initial approval
71
Average initial disapproval
3
Net initial approval
+68
Average final approval
53
Average final disapproval
32
Net final approval
+21
Initial to final change
-47
37
37
Presidency
37
President
Nixon
Average initial approval
59
Average initial disapproval
5
Net initial approval
+54
Average final approval
24
Average final disapproval
66
Net final approval
-42
Initial to final change
-96
36
36
Presidency
36
President
Johnson
Average initial approval
78
Average initial disapproval
2
Net initial approval
+76
Average final approval
49
Average final disapproval
33
Net final approval
+16
Initial to final change
-60
35
35
Presidency
35
President
Kennedy
Average initial approval
72
Average initial disapproval
6
Net initial approval
+66
Average final approval
58
Average final disapproval
28
Net final approval
+30
Initial to final change
-36
34
34
Presidency
34
President
Eisenhower
Average initial approval
68
Average initial disapproval
7
Net initial approval
+61
Average final approval
59
Average final disapproval
28
Net final approval
+31
Initial to final change
-30
33
33
Presidency
33
President
Truman
Average initial approval
87
Average initial disapproval
3
Net initial approval
+84
Average final approval
32
Average final disapproval
56
Net final approval
-24
Initial to final change
-108
Presidency
President
Average initial approval
Average initial disapproval
Net initial approval
Average final approval
Average final disapproval
Net final approval
Initial to final change
47
Trump
47
41
+6
46
Biden
57.5
37.5
+20
37.9
56.9
-19
-39
45
Trump
45
45
0
41.1
56.1
-15
-15
44
Obama
68.5
12.5
+56
59
37
+22
-34
43
G. W. Bush
57
25
+32
34
61
-27
-59
42
Clinton
58
20
+38
66
29
+37
-1
41
G. H. W. Bush
51
6
+45
56
37
+19
-26
40
Reagan
51
13
+38
63
29
+34
-4
39
Carter
66
8
+58
34
55
-21
-79
38
Ford
71
3
+68
53
32
+21
-47
37
Nixon
59
5
+54
24
66
-42
-96
36
Johnson
78
2
+76
49
33
+16
-60
35
Kennedy
72
6
+66
58
28
+30
-36
34
Eisenhower
68
7
+61
59
28
+31
-30
33
Truman
87
3
+84
32
56
-24
-108

References

  1. Only the results of Gallup polls are included as no other poll results exist for presidents before President Clinton.
  2. Trump's second term polling numbers will reflect only the unweighted mean of polling averages reported by Real Clear Pol
    https://www.wsj.com/business/media/disney-to-cut-nearly-6-staff-across-abc-news-disney-entertainment-networks-8af04b40
  3. Gallup.com
    https://gallup.com/poll/203198/presidential-approval-ratings-donald-trump.aspx
  4. Jones, J. (2022). Who had the highest Gallup presidential job approval rating? Gallup. Retrieved from Who Had the Highes
    https://news.gallup.com/poll/271628/highest-gallup-presidential-job-approval-rating.aspx
  5. Jones, J. (2022). Who had the lowest Gallup presidential job approval rating? Gallup. Retrieved from Who Had the Lowest
    https://news.gallup.com/poll/272765/lowest-gallup-presidential-job-approval-rating.aspx
  6. Gallup
    http://www.gallup.com/poll/116677/Presidential-Approval-Ratings-Gallup-Historical-Statistics-Trends.aspx
  7. Gallup
    http://www.gallup.com/poll/207518/trump-approval-rating-unusually-low-unusually-early.aspx?g_source=Politics&g_medium=newsfeed&g_campaign=tiles
  8. The American Presidency Project at UC Santa Barbara.
    http://www.presidency.ucsb.edu/data/popularity.php?pres=45&sort=time&direct=ASC&Submit=DISPLAY
  9. Gallup.com
    https://news.gallup.com/poll/203198/presidential-approval-ratings-donald-trump.aspx
  10. Gallup.com
    https://news.gallup.com/poll/329384/presidential-approval-ratings-joe-biden.aspx
  11. Gallup
    https://news.gallup.com/poll/348974/biden-job-approval-respectable-100-days.aspx
  12. Gallup
    https://news.gallup.com/poll/203198/presidential-approval-ratings-donald-trump.aspx
  13. Saad, Lydia (January 23, 2017). Trump Sets New Low Point for Inaugural Approval Rating. Gallup Inc..
    https://news.gallup.com/poll/202811/trump-sets-new-low-point-inaugural-approval-rating.aspx
  14. Gallup.com
    https://news.gallup.com/poll/113980/Gallup-Daily-Obama-Job-Approval.aspx
  15. Gallup.com
    http://www.gallup.com/poll/116500/Presidential-Approval-Ratings-George-Bush.aspx
  16. Gallup
    http://www.gallup.com/poll/116584/presidential-approval-ratings-bill-clinton.aspx
  17. "Presidential Job Approval for George H. W. Bush". American Presidency Project.
    http://www.presidency.ucsb.edu/data/popularity.php?pres=41
  18. "Presidential Job Approval for Ronald Reagan". American Presidency Project.
    http://www.presidency.ucsb.edu/data/popularity.php?pres=40
  19. "Presidential Job Approval for Jimmy Carter". American Presidency Project.
    http://www.presidency.ucsb.edu/data/popularity.php?pres=39
  20. "Presidential Job Approval for Gerald Ford". American Presidency Project.
    http://www.presidency.ucsb.edu/data/popularity.php?pres=38
  21. "Presidential Job Approval for Richard Nixon". American Presidency Project.
    http://www.presidency.ucsb.edu/data/popularity.php?pres=37
  22. "Presidential Job Approval for Lyndon B. Johnson". American Presidency Project.
    http://www.presidency.ucsb.edu/data/popularity.php?pres=36
  23. "Presidential Job Approval for John F. Kennedy". American Presidency Project.
    http://www.presidency.ucsb.edu/data/popularity.php?pres=35
  24. Presidential Job Approval for "Dwight D. Eisenhower". American Presidency Project.
    http://www.presidency.ucsb.edu/data/popularity.php?pres=34
  25. "Presidential Job Approval for Harry S. Truman". American Presidency Project.
    http://www.presidency.ucsb.edu/data/popularity.php?pres=33
  26. "Presidential Job Approval for Franklin D. Roosevelt". American Presidency Project.
    http://www.presidency.ucsb.edu/data/popularity.php?pres=32
  27. The American Presidency Project
    https://www.presidency.ucsb.edu/statistics/data/initial-presidential-job-approval-ratings
  28. www.realclearpolling.com
    https://www.realclearpolling.com/polls/approval/joe-biden/approval-rating
  29. FiveThirtyEight
    https://archive.today/20190411104052/https://projects.fivethirtyeight.com/polls/
  30. GitHub
    https://github.com/fivethirtyeight/data/tree/master/polls/old_model
  31. The Guardian
    https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/mar/05/abc-news-538-shut-down
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