Donald Trump’s Approval Rating After 50 Days Compared To Joe Biden

President Donald Trump’s approval rating is lower than Joe Biden’s after his first 50 days in office.

Trump’s approval and disapproval ratings both currently stand at 48 percent, according to an average calculated by Newsweek.

This is lower than Biden’s popularity at the same point in his presidency on March 11, 2021, when he had an approval rating of 53 percent and a disapproval rating of 40 percent, according to RealClearPolitics.

Why It Matters

Trump’s approval rating is a key indicator of his political strength as he navigates his second term and prepares for future policy battles.

A shift in his numbers could influence support from Republican lawmakers, affect his ability to push through his agenda, and shape the political landscape heading into the midterm election cycle.

What To Know

Newsweek’s average of the 10 most recent polls found that Trump has both an approval and disapproval rating of 48 percent.

Recent polls have consistently shown Trump’s approval rating declining, with one poll last week showing that his net approval rating turned negative for the first time since returning to the White House.

According to Gallup’s first poll of Trump’s second presidency, conducted between January 21 and 27, he had an initial approval rating of 47 percent. The pollster said this figure made him less popular than any other president since 1953 at the start of their presidential term, and the only to begin with a sub-50 percent approval rating.

The latest Emerson College poll, conducted between March 8-10 among 1,000 registered voters, found that Trump had a 47 percent approval rating, and a 45 percent disapproval rating.

That was down from the pollster’s previous survey, conducted between March 2 and 3, which showed Trump’s approval rating at 48 percent and disapproval rating at 43 percent. Both polls had a margin of error of +/- three percentage points.

In the latest poll, Trump’s disapproval rating was highest on the U.S. economy, with 48 percent disapproving of his performance and 37 percent approving.

Meanwhile, the latest Reuters/Ipsos poll showed that 37 percent of respondents approved of the way Trump was handling foreign policy, while 50 percent disapproved, giving the president a net approval rating of -13 points.

That figure was down from January, when the pollsters found Trump had a net approval rating of two points on foreign policy.

On February 28, the president had a heated confrontation with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, which resulted in Trump pausing military aid to Ukraine.

What People Are Saying

Spencer Kimball, executive director of Emerson College Polling, said: “As President Trump reaches his first 50 days in office, his approval rating has declined from 49%-41% to 47%-45%, reflecting a nation deeply divided.

“Despite not yet delivering on the economy in voters’ minds, Trump’s support remains strong. However, the true challenge will be how voters perceive their financial future. While little has shifted since the election, the initial ‘honeymoon phase’ seems to be coming to an end.”

What Happens Next

Trump’s approval rating is likely to fluctuate in the coming weeks depending on the outcome of key events, including critical negotiations on the Russia-Ukraine war, the growing tariff battle with countries such as Canada, and concerns about a U.S. recession.

Newsweek will update Trump’s average approval rating every week.