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A new poll from McLaughlin & Associates shows positive trends for President Trump’s approval rating. The poll of 1,000 likely voters shows Trump with a net positive approval rating, with 49 percent of respondents expressing approval of his job performance, compared to 46 percent expressing disapproval.
The poll also has encouraging news for the GOP ahead of the 2026 midterms. In a survey for a generic congressional ballot, Republicans hold a six-point lead at 47 percent to 41 percent.
Approval ratings for high-profile Democratic politicians were also tested. Respondents held a net negative view of Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, D-N.Y., with 41 percent holding an unfavorable view, compared to 29 percent holding a favorable view. California Gov. Gavin Newsom also had a net negative approval with 39% unfavorable and 32 percent favorable views among respondents.
The poll also reveals some stark realities about the nature of political polarization in the U.S. and the differences among Americans based on the news sources they consume. Viewership of cable news was evenly divided, with 33 percent watching left-leaning news sources, such as CNN and MSNBC, 35 percent watching right-leaning sources, including Newsmax and Fox News and 34 percent not watching cable news at all.
The deep ideological divide in the U.S. was reflected by the media sources people consume. Polling revealed that not only were viewers exposed to different opinions, but their entire perceptions on major issues, such as the economy, were shaped by the source of their news. In his summary of the polling results, John McLaughlin referred to the contrast as a “dangerous dynamic” and said “voters are no longer debating the same set of facts.”
Voters across the board still viewed the economy as a major priority, with 41 percent citing it as the most crucial issue. Consumers of right-leaning news sources tended to have a more optimistic view of the country’s economic trajectory, as well as a more favorable view of President Trump’s tax cuts. According to McLaughlin, the differences among news consumers present “both a challenge and an opportunity” for the Trump administration.
“It’s time to ensure more Americans get the truth, not filtered through echo chambers, but through a fair, direct presentation of the facts,” McLaughlin said. “That’s how optimism will spread, and how Republicans will continue to build momentum heading into 2026.”