President Donald Trump’s approval rating rose to 40% in a new Marquette Law School poll conducted from July 22 to 29, marking a modest two-point gain from his 38% rating in June, according to USA Today. The rebound represents a recovery from the historic lows Trump hit just days earlier, when multiple polls pegged his approval as low as 32% to 34%.
The Marquette survey reflects a slight stabilization after weeks of decline tied to the Iran war and economic concerns. According to reporting on the poll, the early summer ceasefire appears to have provided some lift to Trump’s standing, though his net approval rating remains deeply negative across most tracking metrics.
Trump’s approval had tumbled throughout his second term, beginning at 48% approval and 52% disapproval in February 2026 before descending to record lows. A Quinnipiac poll released in late July showed Trump at 32% approval, while CNN and AP-NORC polls from the same period registered 34%. The Marquette reading of 40% represents the highest single approval number Trump has recorded in weeks.
Inflation and the cost of living remain the dominant concerns for Americans, with 35% of poll respondents ranking these as their most pressing personal issue, according to the Marquette data reported by USA Today. When asked about Trump’s economic policies, 61% of respondents predicted his policies would increase inflation, while only 21% believed they would decrease it.
Trump’s approval had hit new lows amid the Iran war and rising gas prices, with the conflict driving significant disapproval across demographic groups. The Iran war, which began in early 2026, has been a consistent drag on Trump’s standing throughout the year. A ceasefire framework signed in mid-June provided temporary relief, though economic pressures and lingering concerns about the conflict have continued to weigh on public sentiment.
The Marquette poll also tested approval on specific issues. Trump’s work on inflation, the economy, the Iran war, and gas prices each registered only 30% approval, underscoring the depth of public dissatisfaction on the issues Americans care most about. Trump’s approval ratings have hit historic lows in state-by-state polling, with the geographic spread of low numbers suggesting broad-based weakness rather than regional concentration.
Republicans continue to provide Trump’s strongest base of support, with 81% approval among party members according to the Marquette poll, though even that represents a decline from earlier in his second term. Democrats and independents show far lower approval, contributing to his overall underwater standing.
Sources
- USA Today — Trump’s approval rating at 40% in Marquette poll, up from 38% in June, with poll details on economic concerns
- NJ.com — Trump’s approval at 40% in July Marquette poll, up from 38% in June
- Nate Silver polling tracker — Trump’s net approval rating hit new second-term low of -20.6 after early rebound
- Yahoo News — Early summer ceasefire allowed Trump’s approval to rebound slightly from late spring lows
- Economist/YouGov poll — Trump’s approval hit 34%, tied for record low on July 28, 2026
