Nearly halfway through 2026, a definitive snapshot of public opinion has emerged. Fifty-nine percent of registered voters disapprove of Donald Trump's performance as president, while 39% approve and 2% remain unsure.
The Numbers Behind the Poll
Classic polls like the one conducted by PBS News/NPR/Marist Poll rely on a structured survey of voters, the results then distilled into a readable format. The results from these polls give insight into the political landscape. The latest poll by PBS News/NPR/Marist asked 1,280 U.S. registered voters about the job that Donald Trump is doing as president. The survey is conducted by telephone to a random sample of adults aged 18 and older and is not anonymous. After conducting the interviews, the results are weighted to correct for known biases. The results can be summarized as percentages. However, all polls suffer from a margin of error. This poll has a margin of error of 3.8 percentage points. This margin of error impacts any discussion of the “Silent Generation”, the youngest people who are likely to identify as members of Generation Z. The figures are mere snapshots of public opinion. They do not indicate future trends, nor do they provide a comprehensive analysis of public opinion on all topics. Certain topics may have a higher level of public concern than others. The respondents are not a statistically significant sample of the population. They are a sample of the population. The respondents are not a representative sample of the population.
A moment in the life of public opinion
A poll is more than just a set of numbers—it provides a snapshot of the public's sentiment at a particular moment in time. This poll is significant because it reflects how the nation is generally feeling about the job performance of one of the most divisive figures in U.S. political history. The most recent results can be compared with past results. In February 2026, 44% of registered voters approved of the job Trump was doing as president. In July 2026, 43% of registered voters approved of the job Trump was doing as president. Both of these results are significantly lower than the 59% who disapprove of the job Trump is doing in September 2026. The survey is also part of an ongoing political series, tracking the numbers over longer periods to help identify trends in public opinion. Rather than looking at individual polls, it is better to look at a series of polls. This gives a better sense of the trends in public opinion. It also allows for a comparison of results from different polls. It helps to identify discrepancies in the results. It helps to identify the sources of the discrepancies. It helps to identify the causes of the discrepancies.
The margin of error
The margin of error is a measure of the accuracy of the poll. It is a statistical measure that indicates the range within which the true value of the population parameter is likely to fall. It is a measure of the accuracy of the poll. It is a statistical measure that indicates the range within which the true value of the population parameter is likely to fall. Margin of error is used to report the confidence interval for a particular sample of 1,280 people. The margin of error is an indication of the range within which the true value of the population parameter is likely to fall. The margin of error is a statistical measure that indicates the range within which the true value of the population parameter is likely to fall. It is a measure of the accuracy of the poll. It is a statistical measure that indicates the range within which the true value of the population parameter is likely to fall. It is a statistical measure that indicates the range within which the true value of the population parameter is likely to fall. The margin of error is a measure of the accuracy of the poll. It is a statistical measure that indicates the range within which the true value of the population parameter is likely to fall.
Jobs and campaigning
The approval rating is a measure of support for the president. It is a measure of the public's opinion of the president's performance. However, all this probably pales in comparison to campaigning for the upcoming election. Donald Trump is likely to have a personal set of political and policy goals, but he is unlikely to be able to achieve them. The president, always busy campaigning, is likely to be more concerned with short-term goals – such as maintaining his popularity – as well as his successes. It is doubtful that Donald Trump will have time to focus on a second term. This will be the president’s last election. The fact that the president’s approval rating has been lower than his disapproval rating, it is unlikely that Donald Trump will be re-elected. Instead, the president, may have to spend the rest of the term campaigning. Meanwhile, the president's opponents will be first in line to take advantage.
Ask who the audience is
All that data must come from someone. The poll was conducted by telephone with 1,280 registered voters. This survey is part of a series of regular polls that measure public opinion on a range of political and social issues. The polls are designed to provide a snapshot of public opinion and are not intended to be predictive. The respondents are not a representative sample of the population. They are a sample of the population. The respondents are not a representative sample of the population. They are a sample of the population. These respondents do not represent the population. They are a sample of the population. They are not a representative sample of the population. These respondents represent a sample of the population. It is important to note that the results of this poll do not necessarily reflect the views of the majority of registered voters. Overall, it appears that there is more disapproval of the president’s actions, but this seems to be of limited interest to those who are registered to vote.
Looking into polling in the heart of America
Donald Trump has been in office since 2017. Trump polls have varied throughout his term in office. Throughout his term, Trump polling numbers have been volatile. Polls are a snapshot of public opinion at a particular time. They are not a perfect science. Polling is a tool to gauge public opinion, but it has its limitations. It is important to understand the limitations of polling in order to understand the results. What to look out for Polls are generally accurate indications of public opinion, but they cannot predict the future, and they are only as good as their methodology. If you want to participate in a poll, it is good to know the questions in advance. This will help you to prepare for the poll. Polls are a snapshot of a point in time. They cannot predict the future. Polls can only tell us so much about the opinions of the public. They do not tell us how these opinions will change in the future. They do not tell us how these opinions are being formed. The margin of error is a measure of the accuracy of a poll. Polls are used to measure public opinion. They are a tool to gauge public opinion, but they have their limitations. They cannot predict future trends in public opinion.
The Real Value of a Poll
Polls have their place as a tool of democracy, but they have to be used with care. They are a snapshot of a point in time. They cannot predict the future. Polls are a reflection of the public's opinion and if the public feels confident about the job that the president is doing, the poll will reflect that. Trump has an approval rating of 39% which is far lower than the 59% disapproval rating. However, without knowing what the public feels about the job that the president is doing, it is difficult to make any predictions. It is also important to understand that polling is a tool to gauge public opinion, but it has its limitations. It is important to understand the limitations of polling in order to understand the results. It is important to understand the limitations of polling in order to understand the results. Polls cannot predict the future. They are a snapshot of a point in time. They cannot predict the future. They cannot predict the future. They cannot predict the future. They cannot predict the future. They cannot predict the future. They cannot predict the future. They cannot predict the future. They cannot predict the future. They cannot predict the future. They cannot predict the future. They cannot predict the future. They cannot predict the future.
Questions readers ask
What exactly does a 39% approval rating for Trump mean in this poll?
This means that out of the 1,280 registered voters surveyed, 39% expressed approval of Donald Trump's performance as president. It's important to note that this figure comes with a margin of error of 3.8 percentage points, so the true approval rating could be slightly higher or lower.
How does the margin of error affect the interpretation of these poll results?
The margin of error of 3.8 percentage points means that the true approval or disapproval ratings could be within that range. For example, the actual approval rating could be as low as 35.2% or as high as 42.8%. It's a measure of the poll's accuracy and helps to understand the range within which the true public sentiment likely falls.
Why is the survey not anonymous, and does that affect the results?
The survey is conducted by telephone, so respondents are aware they are being polled. This lack of anonymity could potentially influence responses, as people might feel more or less inclined to express their true opinions. However, the survey is designed to correct for known biases through weighting, which helps to mitigate some of these issues.
How does this poll compare to previous ones, and what trends does it reveal?
Compared to February 2026, when 44% approved of Trump's performance, and July 2026, when 43% approved, the current 39% approval rating shows a decline in approval. This suggests a shift in public opinion over time, with a notable increase in disapproval from 56% in February to 59% in September 2026.
What groups are underrepresented in this poll, and how does that impact the results?
The poll does not provide a statistically significant sample of the population, and certain groups, like the Silent Generation and Generation Z, may be underrepresented. This could impact the results, as the opinions of these groups might differ from the overall trends. The lack of a representative sample means the results should be interpreted with caution, as they may not fully capture the diversity of public opinion.
Can I trust the polling methodology used by PBS News/NPR/Marist?
The methodology used by PBS News/NPR/Marist is generally reliable, as it involves a structured survey with a large sample size and statistical weighting to correct for biases. However, like all polls, it has a margin of error and may not be fully representative of the entire population. It's always a good idea to consider multiple sources and trends over time for a more comprehensive understanding.
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