Trump’s Approval Dips One Point as October Polling Shows Stable but Polarized Electorate

Trump Approval Slips Slightly in October

President Trump’s job approval rating dipped a single point in October, according to Rasmussen’s monthly tracking, offering a reminder that even small shifts matter in a sharply divided political climate.

A Modest Shift in the Numbers

Trump earned 48% approval for the month, compared to 49% in September. Disapproval rose one point to 51%. While the movement is marginal, the intensity behind opinions remains clear: 33% strongly approved of his performance, while 42% strongly disapproved, resulting in a Presidential Approval Index of -9 — down one point month-over-month.

Historical Context

Trump’s current trend sits close to some of his benchmarks from his first term. His highest monthly approval then was 51% in February 2017, and his lowest was 42% in August of that year. His final full month in office in December 2020 saw him at 47% approval — nearly identical to today’s levels.

Comparatively, former President Joe Biden’s approval peaked at 52% in May 2021 before plunging following the Afghanistan withdrawal. Biden saw his lowest approval index twice in 2022 at -29, and he closed out December 2024 with 45% approval.

Party Breakdown

Polarization remains defining:

• 60% of Republicans strongly approved of Trump’s performance in October
• 68% of Democrats strongly disapproved
• Among independents, 26% strongly approved, while 44% strongly disapproved

Methodology

These findings are based on roughly 8,000 monthly interviews with likely voters, offering a broad snapshot of current sentiment. With 2025 shaping up to be a pivotal election year, even slight shifts like these may hint at where voter momentum is headed next.