Trump's Approval Rating Lags Behind Historical Pre-Midterm Benchmarks President Donald Trump’s approval rating ahead of the midterm elections has reached a level lower than any modern president’s at this stage of their term, according to polling data from the Pew Research Center and Quinnipiac University. Midterms are traditionally viewed as a referendum on the sitting president, making approval numbers a critical indicator for political outcomes. Historically, presidents with poor national approval ratings have faced losses for their parties in congressional elections. Trump’s declining approval has fueled Democratic optimism about reclaiming majorities in both the House of Representatives and the Senate. While Trump is not the only recent president to face low approval, he is in a worse position than any other 21st-century leader in the mid-to-late summer period before midterms. The exception to this trend was George W. Bush in 2002, when Republicans successfully defended their congressional seats despite a challenging political climate. However, Trump’s current approval rating suggests a more precarious situation for Republicans, who have relied on his standing to maintain their majorities. Democrats, meanwhile, face their own challenges, including consistent polling showing poor favorability for the party. The latest Quinnipiac poll, conducted between July 23-27, 2026, revealed that 32 percent of respondents approved of Trump, while 58 percent disapproved. This marks a modern historical low for this stage of a presidency. In contrast, former President Joe Biden’s approval rating in August 2022 stood at 40 percent, with 52 percent disapproving. During Trump’s first term, his approval was higher, at 41 percent in August 2018.#donald_trump #barack_obama #george_w_bush #pew_research_center #quinnipiac_university
Trump’s job approval rating is low by historical standards President Donald Trump’s job approval rating, standing at 34% as of mid-July 2026, has remained largely unchanged over the past several months. This figure is lower than his approval rating at a comparable point in his first term, which was 40% in August 2018, and also below the approval levels of most other recent presidents at similar stages in their presidencies. Trump’s current rating is comparable to President Joe Biden’s approval level in 2022 but remains lower than the ratings of other recent presidents at the same stage of their terms. The data, collected by Pew Research Center and Gallup, provides a historical comparison of presidential approval ratings. For instance, in August 2022, Biden’s approval rating was around 47%, while Trump’s current rating of 34% places him below the average of his predecessors. The analysis includes data from various periods, such as Reagan’s early presidency, George H.W. Bush’s first term, Clinton’s initial years in office, George W. Bush’s early tenure, Obama’s first term, and Trump’s first term. The table below outlines the approval ratings of presidents at specific points in their terms, with the latest data reflecting Trump’s approval rating as of mid-July 2026. The data shows that Trump’s approval rating is lower than that of most presidents at similar stages in their careers, with the exception of Biden’s 2022 rating. | Shared Date | Year | Date | Reagan (1981-83) | G.H.W. Bush (1989-91) | Clinton (1993-95) | G.W.#pew_research_center #president_donald_trump #gallup #president_joe_biden #president_george_h_w_bush
Trump Loses Ground on Several Personal Traits as Approval Rating Slips U.S. President Donald Trump’s approval rating has dropped to 34%, the lowest mark of his second term, according to a Pew Research Center survey conducted April 20-26, 2026. The survey of 5,103 U.S. adults found significant declines in public perception of his personal traits and policy capabilities. Among key metrics, 38% of respondents now say Trump “keeps his promises” very or fairly well, down from 43% in August 2025 and 51% shortly after his 2024 reelection. Confidence in his mental sharpness has also fallen to 44%, compared to 48% in August 2025. While 64% of Americans still describe Trump as someone who stands up for his beliefs, this share has declined from 68% in the same period last year. Public confidence in Trump’s ability to handle critical national issues has also waned. Only 41% of respondents express confidence in his capacity to make sound decisions on immigration policy, down from 46% in August 2025 and 53% in November 2024. Confidence in his use of military force has similarly declined to 38%, compared to 46% in August. However, his standing on economic policy remains relatively stable, with 42% expressing confidence in his decisions, slightly lower than the 44% recorded in August. The decline in support has affected both Republican and Democratic voters, though Republicans continue to offer more favorable assessments than Democrats. Among Republicans and Republican-leaning independents, 68% approve of Trump’s job performance, down from 73% in January 2026.#donald_trump #pew_research_center #democratic_party #white_house_correspondents_association_dinner #republican_party
Fox News Host Shannon Bream Reveals Her Calling Is Not Political: 'To Carry Out Christ's Agenda' Shannon Bream, the first woman to anchor “Fox News Sunday” in the show’s 26-year history, has spoken openly about her personal faith and how it shapes her professional priorities. While her role at Fox News involves covering political and news events, Bream emphasized that her primary focus is not on political agendas but on fulfilling what she describes as a spiritual calling. In an interview on CBN’s Faith in Culture podcast, she clarified that as a believer, her mission is to “carry out Christ’s agenda,” which she defines as reaching people with the message of faith. Bream’s comments come amid growing concerns about political polarization in the United States. Data from a 2024 study by Johns Hopkins University revealed that nearly half of Americans view their political opponents as “downright evil,” while a 2023 Pew Research Center report found that 80% of U.S. adults believe Republicans and Democrats disagree not only on policies but also on fundamental facts. Bream acknowledged the divide but urged her audience to prioritize humanity over ideological conflict. She argued that demonizing opponents prevents meaningful dialogue and hinders the possibility of bringing others to “God’s grace and love.” Despite the challenges of her profession, Bream stressed the importance of balance in her daily life. As a Fox News anchor, she spends long hours analyzing news events, but she emphasized the need for personal time to recharge. She described her morning routine as essential, beginning each day with prayer and reading the Bible. “The Bible is full of truth and guidance,” she said, adding that it provides perspective for navigating the complexities of the day.#pew_research_center #fox_news #shannon_bream #johns_hopkins_university #map_dot_fingerprint_dystrophy
Daylight Saving Time 2026 Begins Sunday as Clocks Spring Forward The transition to daylight saving time kicks off on Sunday, marking the start of the annual time shift. This year’s change brings an end to the extended evening hours, as clocks are set back by one hour. The adjustment, while routine, has sparked discussions about its impact on daily life, energy use, and public health. Despite its longstanding tradition, the practice of daylight saving time faces growing scrutiny. Recent years have seen a decline in legislative efforts to make the change permanent. In 2023, the U.S. Senate passed a bill to eliminate the need for annual adjustments, but it stalled in the House. Similar debates have unfolded in other countries, with some regions considering permanent standard time or abolishing the practice altogether. The article highlights the statistical trends surrounding daylight saving time. Over the past decade, the number of bills introduced in Congress to reform or abolish the practice has dropped significantly. In 2022, only 12 bills were proposed, compared to 34 in 2018. Meanwhile, public opinion remains divided. A 2023 survey by the Pew Research Center found that 58% of Americans support ending the practice, while 38% favor keeping it. The shift also raises questions about its effects on health and productivity. Studies have linked the time change to increased risks of heart attacks, sleep disturbances, and workplace accidents. For instance, a 2021 study published in The Lancet found a 25% rise in heart attack rates in the days following the springtime switch. Conversely, proponents argue that the practice saves energy by reducing the need for artificial lighting during peak hours. The article also delves into the historical context of daylight saving time.#daylight_saving_time #pew_research_center #national_retail_federation #the_lancet #national_geographic
