Trump's Approval Rating Drops Amid GOP Loss in Texas

New polls show declining confidence in Trump's leadership as Democrats flip a Republican state Senate seat in Texas.

Feb. 6, 2026 at 4:39am

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President Donald Trump's approval rating has dropped in recent months, with a Pew Research Center poll finding only 27% of U.S. adults support his policy prescriptions, down from 35% a year earlier. This comes as a special election in Texas saw a Republican state Senate seat flip to the Democrats, a potential harbinger of things to come in the 2026 midterm elections.

Why it matters

Trump's declining approval ratings and the loss of a Republican-held seat in Texas suggest growing dissatisfaction with the former president and his party, which could impact the upcoming midterm elections. The Texas special election is seen as a bellwether for how voters may respond to Republican candidates in 2026.

The details

In the Texas special election, Democrat Taylor Rehmet flipped a Republican seat in a district that Trump had won by 17 percentage points in 2024. Trump had backed the Republican candidate, Leigh Wambsganss, but later tried to distance himself from the race. The losing Republican candidate called the Texas loss a "wake-up call" for the party.

  • The special election in Texas took place on January 31, 2026.
  • A Pew Research Center poll was conducted from January 20-26, 2026.
  • A Fox News poll was conducted from January 23-26, 2026.

The players

Donald Trump

The former president of the United States whose approval rating has been declining in recent months.

Taylor Rehmet

The Democratic candidate who flipped a Republican state Senate seat in Texas.

Leigh Wambsganss

The Republican candidate in the Texas state Senate special election who was backed by Trump.

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What they’re saying

“I'm not on the ballot," Trump told reporters on Feb. 1. "So, you don't know whether or not it's transferable.”

— Donald Trump

“We must not let individuals continue to damage private property in San Francisco.”

— Robert Jenkins, San Francisco resident

What’s next

The judge in the case will decide on Tuesday whether or not to allow Walker Reed Quinn out on bail.

The takeaway

This case highlights growing concerns in the community about repeat offenders released on bail, raising questions about bail reform, public safety on SF streets, and if any special laws to govern autonomous vehicles in residential and commercial areas.