With America Divided, Will Improving Economy Boost Trump’s Approval Ratings? I&I/TIPP Poll
Terry Jones
January 14, 2026
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President Donald Trump has, by many accounts, had one of the most successful first years of any presidential term. And yet, his favorability ratings among voters has barely budged. Why? Support from independents and Democrats has weakened, the latest I&I/TIPP Poll shows.
This month marks the first year of Trump’s return to the White House. How is he doing?
Each month, I&I/TIPP ask a random sample of Americans the following question about presidential leadership: “Overall, is your opinion of Donald Trump generally favorable, generally unfavorable, or are you not familiar enough to say one way or the other?”
In the latest national online I&I/TIPP Poll, taken from Jan. 6 to Jan. 9 by 1,478 adults, Trump’s overall favorability fell to 41%, down from 44% in December, while his unfavorability rating rose to 49%, up from 47%. As such, Trump’s net favorability jumped from minus-3% in December to minus-8%.

A comparison with the data from last March, which captured all of Trump’s first month back in office, shows little progress. In March 2025, Trump’s favorability overall favorability stood at 47%, while his unfavorability stood at 43%, for a net positive rating of plus-4%.
Over that time, Trump’s political backing has weakened among independents and Democrats, but also with the GOP, though to a much less degree.
In March 2025, Trump’s favorability ratings stood as follows: Democrats (18% favorable, 76% unfavorable); independents (39% favorable, 47% unfavorable); and Republicans (84% favorable, 9% unfavorable).
By comparison, January 2026’s data have softened somewhat compared to last March’s data: In January, it was Democrats (13% favorable, 82% unfavorable); independents (30% favorable, 53% unfavorable); and Republicans (80% favorable, 13% unfavorable). No gains at all over the year.
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https://issuesinsights.com/2026/01/14/with-america-divided-can-trump-boost-his-approval-ratings-with-an-improving-economy-ii-tipp-poll/