Trump Approval Rating Tracker: Here’s Where He Stands—As Poll Shows Concern About Signal Leak

Forbes - Mar 26th, 2025
Open on Forbes

President Donald Trump's approval rating has seen slight fluctuations, with some polls indicating a modest increase compared to his first term. However, a recent leak of sensitive U.S. military plans to a journalist threatens to impact his administration's standing. Despite this, Trump's approval rating in an Economist/YouGov survey rose by two points, although a majority of respondents in a separate YouGov poll viewed the leak as a significant issue. The mixed polling results highlight the ongoing challenges faced by Trump's administration in managing both public perception and internal controversies.

The leak, involving military plans for operations in Yemen, has been widely criticized and is seen as a major blunder in Trump's otherwise smoother second term. National Security Advisor Mike Waltz and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth are at the center of the controversy, having included journalist Jeffrey Goldberg in a secure communication thread. This incident adds to the administration's legal and political challenges, including tariff disputes, federal workforce reductions, and contentious use of the Alien Enemies Act. These issues have sparked significant debate about executive power and judicial oversight, further complicating Trump's political landscape.

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RATING

6.8
Fair Story
Consider it well-founded

The article provides a comprehensive overview of President Trump's approval ratings, drawing on multiple polls to present a nuanced picture of public opinion. Its strengths lie in its timeliness, public interest, and engagement with current events, making it relevant to readers interested in political news. However, the story could benefit from greater transparency in explaining the methodology behind the polls and a more balanced exploration of the factors influencing approval ratings. While the article is generally clear and readable, some sections could be more concise and provide deeper analysis to enhance understanding and engagement. Overall, the story effectively captures the complexities of public perception but could improve by addressing these areas to provide a more well-rounded and impactful narrative.

RATING DETAILS

7
Accuracy

The news story provides a detailed account of President Trump's approval ratings across several polls, presenting a mix of approval and disapproval figures. The factual accuracy of these claims largely aligns with the trends observed in multiple surveys, which consistently show a fluctuating approval rating. However, the story's assertion about the leak of military plans potentially impacting Trump's ratings requires more substantial evidence and context, as it is not directly backed by poll results. The mention of specific figures, such as the 48% approval rating in the Economist/YouGov survey, appears accurate, but the broader implications of these numbers need further corroboration. The story's claim about Trump's approval being higher than during the same period in his first term is consistent with historical data, but the impact of the military leak on this trend is speculative without additional data.

6
Balance

The article presents a range of perspectives on President Trump's approval ratings, including both positive and negative viewpoints. It cites various polls to provide a comprehensive view of public opinion, which helps to balance the narrative. However, the story could benefit from a more in-depth exploration of the reasons behind the approval and disapproval ratings, such as specific policy decisions or events influencing public perception. While the article mentions the military leak and its potential impact, it does not delve into alternative viewpoints or provide a detailed analysis of how different political factions perceive this issue. This omission limits the story's balance, as it does not fully explore the complexities of public opinion.

7
Clarity

The article is generally clear in its presentation of information, with a logical flow that guides the reader through the various poll results and their implications. The use of specific figures and timelines helps to organize the narrative and make it easier to follow. However, the article could benefit from clearer explanations of the significance of certain events, such as the military leak, and how they relate to the approval ratings. The language is straightforward, but some sections could be more concise to enhance readability and comprehension.

8
Source quality

The article relies on reputable sources, such as Economist/YouGov, Reuters/Ipsos, and Morning Consult, to provide data on President Trump's approval ratings. These sources are well-known for their polling accuracy and reliability, lending credibility to the story. The use of multiple polls helps to cross-verify the information and ensures that the data is not based on a single source, which strengthens the article's reliability. However, the story could improve by providing more context about the methodology of these polls, such as sample sizes and demographics, to enhance transparency and trust in the data presented.

6
Transparency

The article provides some context for the approval ratings by citing specific polls and their results. However, it lacks a detailed explanation of the methodology behind these polls, such as how the questions were framed or the demographics of the respondents. This lack of transparency can affect the reader's ability to fully understand the basis of the claims made. Additionally, the article does not disclose any potential conflicts of interest or biases that might influence the reporting, which is crucial for maintaining transparency and trust with the audience.

Sources

  1. https://economictimes.com/news/international/us/donald-trump-hits-historic-low-as-new-poll-shows-his-net-approval-rating-worse-than-any-modern-president-in-decades/articleshow/119344880.cms
  2. https://www.iheart.com/content/2025-03-26-new-poll-shows-historic-shift-in-trumps-approval-rating/