A new Washington Post/Ipsos poll has revealed that President Donald Trump is facing a significant surge in public disapproval, with six in ten Americans now expressing dissatisfaction with his job performance. This marks his lowest approval rating since the violent riots at the U.S. Capitol on January 6, 2021, when his supporters stormed the building.
Poll Highlights Widespread Discontent
The survey, conducted from February 12 to 17, 2026, found that 60% of Americans overall and 58% of registered voters believe Trump is managing the presidency poorly. Notably, half of all respondents strongly disapprove of his performance, indicating deep-seated frustration.
Economic and Immigration Issues Drive Disapproval
Trump's handling of the economy and immigration has emerged as major flashpoints. Some 65% of Americans say he is doing a bad job of controlling inflation, despite his efforts to downplay or dismiss rising consumer prices. On immigration, 58% disapprove of his approach, which includes a nationwide mass deportation campaign that has led to violent clashes, such as the fatal shootings of Alex Pretti and Renee Good by ICE agents in Minneapolis this winter.
This is the highest disapproval rating on immigration since September 2017, shortly after Trump rescinded the DACA program that protected young immigrants from deportation.
Tariffs and Foreign Policy Add to Woes
Large numbers of Americans also oppose Trump's global tariffs, with 64% rejecting the strategy. This opposition has remained steady since the start of his term and was compounded by a recent Supreme Court ruling that struck down key parts of his tariff agenda as illegal. Additionally, 62% disapprove of his ability to maintain relationships with foreign allies, amid trade disputes with Canada, tensions with NATO over Greenland, and potential military actions against Iran.
Political Implications for the GOP
The poll suggests that Trump's unpopularity could spell trouble for Republicans in the upcoming midterm elections. While his economic numbers have slightly improved in recent months, his overall low ratings may drag down the party's performance. The GOP is already facing challenges, including a Senate map that has turned unfavorable, a Democratic advantage in generic ballots, and a wave of retirements that has shrunk their House majority to low single digits.
The survey data was collected from a sample of 2,589 U.S. adults, with a margin of error of +/- two percentage points, and included responses from 2,087 registered voters with a margin of error of +/- 2.2 percentage points.
