Gallup, the public opinion polling agency, has announced it will stop tracking presidential approval ratings after almost nine decades, a spokesperson confirmed. The decision comes as Donald Trump continues to scrutinise polling of his popularity and publicly lambast media companies that report unfavourable numbers.
Gallup insisted its decision was 'solely based on Gallup’s research goals and priorities', and not influenced by external pressures. The company said it would cease measuring the favourability rating of individual political figures after 88 years, reflecting 'an evolution in how Gallup focuses its public research and thought leadership'.
'Our commitment is to long-term, methodologically sound research on issues and conditions that shape people’s lives,' a spokesperson told multiple media outlets. 'That work will continue through the Gallup Poll Social Series, the Gallup Quarterly Business Review, the World Poll, and our portfolio of US and global research.'
The Gallup Presidential Approval Rating has been a key barometer of public opinion since Harry Truman’s presidency, providing a historical snapshot including George W Bush’s 90% approval after the 9/11 attacks. Trump’s second-term approval rating fell to 36% in December, among the lowest recorded by the company, having started his second term at 47%.
Trump has been dogged in his pursuit against polling organisations and media companies that portray him negatively. In January, after the New York Times released a poll showing his approval rating at 40%, he threatened to expand his defamation lawsuit, posting on Truth Social: 'The Times Siena Poll … will be added to my lawsuit against The Failing New York Times.'
The New York Times defended its methodology, with spokesperson Charlie Stadtlander stating: 'President Trump likes polls that appear favourable to him and dislikes polls that do not. But whether a poll is good or bad for the president has no bearing on our methodology.'
