Fox News Poll Reveals Widespread Disapproval of Trump's Presidency
A new Fox News poll has found that 57% of American voters disapprove of the job Donald Trump is doing as president, casting a shadow over his second term in office. The survey, conducted from February 28 to March 2, 2026, among 1,004 registered voters, indicates deepening public dissatisfaction with Trump's leadership across multiple key issues.
Cost-of-Living Emerges as Top Concern with High Disapproval
Half of the respondents identified the cost-of-living as their primary economic worry, and this issue yielded Trump's most negative result in the poll. A striking 67% of those surveyed expressed disapproval of the president's handling of affordability concerns, despite his claims to have "solved affordability." This highlights a significant disconnect between Trump's assertions and public perception.
Trump's tariffs policy saw the second most negative outcome, with 63% of voters unimpressed by his controversial strategy of imposing sweeping duties on imported goods. The president's disapproval ratings extended to other critical areas: 61% on both the economy and healthcare, 60% on foreign policy, 59% on taxes, and 53% on immigration.
Border Security Stands as Lone Area of Majority Support
Out of the nine main issues examined in the poll, border security was the only domain where Trump secured majority backing. Approximately 52% of voters approved of his approach to this matter, suggesting it remains a relative strength in his policy portfolio amid broader criticism.
The overall disapproval figures in Fox News polls have remained consistently high, fluctuating between 51% and 58% since March 2025. In the latest survey, six in ten voters asserted that Trump is focused on the wrong issues, underscoring a pervasive sense of misalignment with public priorities.
White House Pushes Back with Historical Comparisons
White House spokesperson Davis Ingle responded to the poll's findings by referencing data from the polling aggregator RealClearPolitics. Ingle noted that, according to their averages, President Trump currently enjoys a higher approval rating than former Presidents Barack Obama and George W. Bush at comparable points in their second terms.
"President Trump is enjoying a higher approval rating than former Presidents Obama and Bush at this point in their second term, with much more hostile media coverage," Ingle stated. RealClearPolitics figures show Obama at 42.5% and Bush at 38.7% approval, while Trump sits at 43.3%.
Partisan Divides Deepen in Trump's Second Term
The Fox News poll also illuminated the ongoing partisan schism in reactions to the president. Republican voters have consistently given Trump approval ratings above 80% since March 2025 in Fox polls. However, the latest survey revealed a nuanced split within the GOP itself.
Approval for Trump soars to 98% among Republicans who identify with the "Make America Great Again" movement, but drops to 63% among non-MAGA Republicans. This divergence points to internal fractures within the party as Trump's tenure progresses.
Democrats did not escape scrutiny in the poll, with a record 70% disapproval rating for congressional Democrats. Republicans in Congress fared slightly better, though still garnering a 64% disapproval rating, indicating widespread public frustration with legislative bodies across the political spectrum.
Trump's Self-Assessment Contrasts with Polling Data
President Trump has recently boasted about his approval ratings, posting on Truth Social in early February: "The highest Poll Numbers I have ever received. Obviously, people like a strong and powerful Country, with the best economy, EVER!" This self-congratulatory stance starkly contrasts with the Fox News findings, which suggest a majority of Americans remain unconvinced by his performance.
The poll's timing is notable, as its first day coincided with the launch of ongoing U.S. airstrikes on Iran, adding foreign policy tensions to the backdrop of domestic discontent. As Trump's second term continues, these polling numbers signal persistent challenges in winning over a skeptical electorate.
