President Donald Trump has once again claimed his approval rating is far higher than recent polling suggests, posting on Truth Social that he enjoys a “59 percent Approval Rating” despite no major survey showing support for Trump anywhere near that level. The claim comes as national polling averages continue to place the president well underwater, with disapproval hovering close to the same figure Trump cited as his approval rating.
Donald Trump’s approval rating claim conflicts with polling data
In a late-night Truth Social post on Sunday, July 12, Trump wrote, “59 percent Approval Rating. Prices coming down along with the lowering of oil and gas. Thank you! President DJT.” The president did not identify which poll he was referring to or explain what type of “approval rating” he was talking about. However, none of the major surveys tracked by RealClearPolitics or The New York Times have shown Trump above 50% approval in recent weeks or months.
RealClearPolitics’ latest polling average places Trump at 41% approval and 56.5% disapproval, leaving him with a net approval rating of minus 15.5 points. Meanwhile, the latest Times/Siena poll found only 37% of Americans approve of his handling of the presidency. “If there has been a floor during this partisan era of politics, Trump’s ratings today have fallen to it,” The New York Times chief political analyst Nate Cohn wrote.
Donald Trump’s claimed approval rating closely matches disapproval average
Some observers suggested Trump might have confused his approval and disapproval figures. As of July 13, The New York Times‘ aggregate of dozens of polls showed Trump with 39% approval and 58% disapproval, a figure strikingly close to the 59% approval rating he claimed.
“Did he accidentally mix up the numbers or something???” Tahra Hoops, director of economic analysis at the left-leaning Chamber of Progress, wrote on X.
If Trump’s claim were accurate, it would represent one of the highest approval ratings of his presidency and far exceed anything recorded by major polling averages.
The economy and inflation remain weak spots for Donald Trump
Polling suggests Trump’s weakest numbers continue to come on economic issues. According to RealClearPolitics averages, his handling of the economy receives 36.3% approval and 59.8% disapproval. On inflation, his net rating is even worse, at minus 38.1 points. Although the gaps are narrower on crime (minus 4.2) and immigration (minus 7), he remains underwater on every issue tracked. Analysts have also attributed the recent slide in Trump’s popularity to rising prices and the Iran war. The Economist‘s polling average currently gives Trump a net approval rating of minus 23, a decline similar to the slump experienced by Trump during his first term and former President Joe Biden at the same stage in his presidency.
Donald Trump’s track record of fabricating approval numbers
It’s not the first time Trump has claimed stronger public approval and support than major polls indicated. In August 2025, he wrote, “Except what is written and broadcast in the Fake News, I now have the highest poll numbers I’ve ever had, some in the 60’s and even 70’s.” But every major polling aggregate showed him with net negative approval at the time.
He made a similar assertion in October 2025 while discussing the possibility of serving a third term. “I have my highest poll numbers that I’ve ever had, as I should. … I have the best numbers for any president in many years — any president,” Trump said. At the time, RealClearPolitics showed him with 44.9% approval and 52% disapproval, for a net rating of minus 7.1. The numbers remained well below the positive ratings Trump briefly achieved at the start of his second term and well below the roughly 20-point net approval Biden reached early in his presidency.
