UMass Poll Shows Trump's Approval at 32%, Decline in Republican Support

A national poll conducted by the University of Massachusetts Amherst from August 21-26, 2026, indicates that President Donald Trump's overall approval rating has fallen to 32%. This represents a 14-point decline in Republican approval since March, with 1 in 6 Trump voters stating they would not vote for him again. The poll surveyed 1,000 respondents and found that more than two-thirds disapprove of Trump's handling of the ongoing war in Iran, and nearly as many disapprove of his overall job performance, which has a disapproval rating of 64%. Tatishe Nteta, provost professor of political science at UMass Amherst, noted that the ongoing war in Iran, rising costs of living, and an escalating trade war with Canada contribute to Trump's low approval rating. He emphasized that the upcoming midterm elections could pose a significant challenge for Trump and the Republican Party if they fail to address key issues. Jesse Rhodes, co-director of the poll, pointed out that majorities of Americans disapprove of Trump's handling of the war in Iran (68%), inflation (75%), and job performance (63%). He suggested that Trump's decisions have exacerbated his declining approval ratings. The poll also revealed that 75% of respondents believe Trump has not managed inflation effectively, with rising costs for essential goods continuing to impact Americans. Alexander Theodoridis, another co-director of the poll, mentioned that around 15% of Trump voters express regret about their voting decision, indicating a potential erosion of support. The poll also found that 54% of Americans disapprove of U.S. military actions in Iran, with only 25% believing Trump is handling the situation well. The approval rating among Republicans varies significantly based on their identification with the MAGA movement, with 87% of strongly MAGA Republicans approving of Trump's handling of Iran, compared to only 30% among those who do not identify with the movement. The respondents were matched to a sampling frame based on gender, age, race, and education, using stratified sampling methods.