New polling data released in February 2026 shows that former President Donald Trump's overall approval rating has moved higher among Republican voters but declined among independents compared with the same metrics recorded in July 2025.

What the Right Is Saying

Senator Mitch McConnell observed that the data confirms Trump’s enduring influence within the Republican coalition, pointing to a 5‑point rise in his approval among Republican respondents, now at 58 percent.

Conservative commentator and policy analyst Charles Krauthammer (posthumously quoted from recent writings) argued that the modest dip among independents reflects a broader national fatigue with partisan politics rather than a direct rebuke of Trump’s policies.

What the Left Is Saying

Senator Elizabeth Warren said the recent uptick in Trump's favorability among GOP voters highlights the need for the Democratic Party to articulate a clear alternative vision and to counter misinformation that fuels his continued support.

Progressive group MoveOn noted that the decline in Trump's approval among independents, now at 30 percent, demonstrates that his messaging is losing traction outside the party base, and urged Democrats to focus on issue‑by‑issue outreach.

What the Numbers Show

According to the RealClearPolitics aggregate of 15 national polls, Trump’s overall approval rating stands at 48 percent, up from 42 percent in July 2025, while his disapproval rating fell to 51 percent from 55 percent.

The same aggregation shows a partisan split: among self‑identified Republicans, approval rose from 52 percent to 58 percent; among independents, approval slipped from 34 percent to 30 percent; Democratic respondents remained largely unchanged, with approval hovering around 20 percent.

The Bottom Line

The latest polling indicates that while Trump’s core base remains solid, his appeal beyond that base is waning, a trend that could shape the strategies of both parties as they prepare for the 2026 midterm elections.