Trump’s Popularity Remains in the Doldrums: UK Polls Show Overwhelming Disapproval as US Ratings Stagnate
LONDON, 19 January 2026 – As Donald Trump approaches the one-year mark of his second term in the White House, a slew of recent polls reveals his popularity remains deeply underwater on both sides of the Atlantic. British public opinion of the US President is overwhelmingly negative, with a significant majority holding unfavourable views and expecting his presidency to harm UK interests. Concurrently, his domestic approval rating in the United States continues to languish well below 50%, placing him among the least popular modern presidents at this stage of a second term.
A Chilly Reception in Britain
Multiple surveys conducted in recent months paint a stark picture of how Britons view the 47th President. According to a January 2026 Ipsos poll, 63% of Britons hold an unfavourable opinion of Trump, with only 22% viewing him favourably. This sentiment is echoed in YouGov’s European tracker from November 2025, which found 72% of Britons had an unfavourable opinion. A More in Common poll from late 2024 gave Trump a net approval rating of -36 among the British public.
The disapproval cuts across most demographic lines but finds a notable exception among supporters of Reform UK. Ipsos data shows 53% of Reform voters are favourable towards Trump, a stark contrast to the single-digit support from voters of other major parties. This partisan divide was also evident in attitudes towards his second state visit in 2025, which was backed by 64% of Reform voters but opposed by majorities of Labour, Liberal Democrat, and Green voters.
Key Polling Data: Trump’s Standing in the UK and US
| Pollster / Metric | Finding (January 2026) |
|---|---|
| Ipsos UK (Favourability) | 22% Favourable, 63% Unfavourable |
| Silver Bulletin (US Net Approval) | -12.9% (Approve 43.6%, Disapprove 56.5%) |
| Aggregate US Approval (Ballotpedia) | 42.0% Approve, 55.0% Disapprove |
| Britons’ View of Trump’s Impact on UK | 53% say impact has been negative (YouGov) |
| UK Hypothetical 2024 Vote | Harris 50%, Trump 28% (More in Common) |
Stagnant Domestic Approval
In the United States, President Trump’s job approval rating shows little sign of a “second-term bounce.” According to the Silver Bulletin polling average updated on 19 January 2026, his net approval stands at -12.9%, with 43.6% approving and 56.5% disapproving of his job performance. This places him slightly above his rating at the same point in his first term (-16.4%) but significantly below where Barack Obama (-8.5%) and George W. Bush (-10.4) were one year into their second terms.
Aggregate data from poll-watchers like Ballotpedia and Real Clear Politics consistently shows approval mired in the low 40s, with disapproval in the mid-50s. His ratings on specific issues are also weak, with approval on the economy at a net -16.5 and on immigration at a net -10.0 in the Silver Bulletin average.
International Perspectives and Historical Context
Globally, confidence in Trump remains low. A June 2025 Pew Research Center survey across 24 nations found a median of just 34% had confidence in Trump regarding world affairs, compared to 62% with little or no confidence. His ratings were highest in Nigeria (79%) and Israel (69%) and lowest in Mexico (8%) and Sweden (15%). In most countries surveyed, confidence in Trump was lower than the ratings given to his predecessor, Joe Biden, in 2024.
Historically, Trump’s initial approval rating for his second term (47% in late January 2025, per Gallup) was the lowest for a newly inaugurated president since modern polling began. Scholars’ rankings consistently place his first presidency in the bottom tier among all US presidents, often alongside figures like James Buchanan and Andrew Johnson.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do Britons feel about Keir Starmer’s handling of the relationship with Trump?
Britons are divided. A September 2025 Ipsos poll found 42% thought Prime Minister Starmer was doing a good job managing the UK’s relationship with President Trump and the US, while 35% thought he was doing a bad job. Notably, 44% of Britons believe Starmer should prioritise working with Trump, compared to 37% who think he should focus on standing up to him.
What impact do Britons think Trump’s presidency will have?
The British public is broadly pessimistic. Majorities believe a second Trump term will have a negative impact on global security (53%), political stability in other countries (52%), and political stability in the US (51%). Nearly half (48%) think it will negatively affect Britain’s influence with the US, and 43% foresee a negative impact on the UK economy.
Has Trump’s popularity improved since his first term?
In an international context, yes, but from a very low base. The Pew Research Center notes that in most countries where trends are available from 2017, confidence in Trump has improved. However, in nations like the UK, Germany, and Sweden, his ratings remain dramatically lower than those for Joe Biden in 2024, indicating his global image continues to be a significant liability.