Trump's Disapproval Rating Hits Five-Year High

New poll shows Trump's numbers at a level not seen since the 2021 attack on the Capitol.

Published on Feb. 23, 2026

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A new Washington Post–ABC News poll shows that disapproval of former President Donald Trump has reached its highest level since the January 6th attack on the U.S. Capitol. The poll puts Trump's approval rating at 39% positive and 60% negative among adults nationwide, with nearly half of all respondents strongly disapproving of the president.

Why it matters

Trump's disapproval ratings have slowly crept up since the beginning of his second term, hitting new highs amid backlash over his administration's policies on issues like the economy, immigration, and inflation. This latest poll suggests Trump is facing significant headwinds as the 2024 election approaches.

The details

The poll, conducted between February 12-17 among 2,589 U.S. adults, shows Trump's disapproval rating has reached levels not seen since the immediate aftermath of the January 6th attack on the Capitol. The poll has a margin of error of +/- 2 percentage points. Trump's net approval is deep in negative territory on several key issues, including a -33 rating on inflation.

  • The poll was conducted between February 12-17, 2026.
  • Trump's disapproval rating last hit 60% in the immediate aftermath of the January 6th attack on the U.S. Capitol.

The players

Donald Trump

The former president of the United States.

Washington Post–ABC News

The media organizations that conducted the poll.

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The takeaway

This latest poll suggests Trump is facing significant headwinds as the 2024 election approaches, with his disapproval rating reaching levels not seen since the January 6th attack on the Capitol. The data indicates growing public concerns about Trump's leadership, policies, and use of presidential power.