Trump’s Poll Crash: Is Even Mississippi Turning?
Trump’s Approval Ratings Hit Record Lows Nationally and in Mississippi
Published: August 4, 2026 | 6:52 a.m. CT
What’s Happening?
New polling data shows that more Americans than ever before disapprove of President Donald Trump’s job performance. This includes Mississippi — one of his strongest supporting states — where his approval rating has dropped to its lowest point ever.
National Polls Show Historic Lows
Quinnipiac University Poll (Released July 29)
| Metric | Percentage |
|---|---|
| Approve | 32% |
| Disapprove | 58% |
Important: This is the lowest approval rating of Trump’s entire presidency (both terms).
Issue-Specific Disapproval (Quinnipiac)
Most Americans disapprove of how Trump is handling key issues:
- Iran — 66% disapprove
- Economy — 62% disapprove
- Foreign Policy — 62% disapprove
- Trade — 58% disapprove
- Immigration — 57% disapprove
AP-NORC Poll (Released July 30)
- Approve: 33%
- Disapprove: 67%
- Lowest recorded in his second term by this pollster
Mississippi: A Red State Turning?
Mississippi has long been one of Trump’s most loyal states. But new data from Civiqs shows a dramatic shift.
Current Mississippi Numbers (Civiqs)
| Metric | Percentage |
|---|---|
| Approve | 46% |
| Disapprove | 48% |
| Neutral/Unsure | 5% |
Important: This is the first time disapproval has topped approval in Mississippi during either term.
How We Got Here: A Timeline
- January 2025 (Start of Term): 55% approve / 42% disapprove
- Most of 2025: Both numbers moved closer together
- Early June 2026: Disapproval edged above approval for the first time
- Since June: Approval steadily falling, disapproval steadily rising
Comparison: First Term vs. Second Term (Mississippi)
| Term | Approval Range | Disapproval Range |
|---|---|---|
| First Term | 52% – 56% | 41% – 45% |
| Second Term (Current) | 46% (record low) | 48% (record high) |
How Do Major Polls Compare?
Different pollsters use different methods, so numbers vary. Here’s a snapshot from early August 2026:
| Pollster | Date | Approve | Disapprove |
|---|---|---|---|
| New York Times Average | Aug 3 | 38% | 59% |
| Civiqs (National) | Aug 1 | 36% | 59% |
| Reuters/Ipsos | Jul 24–25 | 37% | 61% |
| AP-NORC | Jul 23 | 33% | 66% |
| Quinnipiac | Jul 29 | 32% | 58% |
| Fox News | Jul 17–20 | 39% | 31% |
Note: Fox News shows a much closer split. Polling methods (phone vs. online, likely voters vs. all adults) can cause differences.
Approval vs. Favorability: What’s the Difference?
| Term | What It Measures |
|---|---|
| Job Approval | "Do you like how the president is doing his job?" |
| Favorability | "Do you like the president as a person?" |
National Favorability (Civiqs, July 31)
- Favorable: 38%
- Unfavorable: 58%
Mississippi Favorability
Mirrors the national numbers almost exactly.
YouGov/The Economist (July 13)
- Favorable: 42.3%
- Unfavorable: 56.8%
- Don’t Know: 0.8%
Key Takeaways
Summary Box
- National approval is at historic lows (32–39% range across major polls)
- Disapproval tops 58–66% on key issues like economy, foreign policy, and Iran
- Mississippi — a deep-red stronghold — now shows more disapproval than approval (48% vs 46%)
- Favorability (personal likeability) is also underwater nationally (~38% favorable, ~58% unfavorable)
- Trend lines show steady decline since early summer 2026
FAQ
Why do different polls show different numbers?
Pollsters use different methods: some call landlines, some use online panels, some weight by demographics. That’s why averages (like NYT’s) are often more reliable than any single poll.
Does low approval mean Trump will lose support in Congress?
Not necessarily. Many Republican lawmakers still represent districts where Trump is popular. But it can make them nervous about re-election.
What caused the recent drop?
The polls don’t say why, but the timing lines up with:
- Ongoing economic concerns (inflation, jobs)
- Foreign policy tensions (Iran, trade disputes)
- Immigration enforcement controversies
Is this normal for a second-term president?
Yes — second terms often see declining approval. But 32–33% is unusually low historically.
Can these numbers change quickly?
Absolutely. Major events (economic news, crises, legislative wins) can shift opinion in weeks.
Final Summary
As of August 2026, President Trump faces record-low job approval across nearly every major national poll. Even Mississippi — a state he won easily in three elections — now shows more voters disapproving than approving. Disapproval is especially high on the economy, foreign policy, and Iran. While personal favorability is slightly higher than job approval, it remains deeply negative nationally. The trend has been steady and downward since June, suggesting growing voter frustration across the board.
Bottom line: The political ground is shifting — even in Trump’s strongest territory.
Reporting contributed by Fernando Cervantes Jr., Kinsey Crowley, Terry Collins, Susan Page, Cybele Mayes-Osterman, and Miguel Legoas. Bonnie Bolden covers the Deep South for the USA TODAY Network.