Fact Check: Trump First President in History of Approval Ratings to Maintain a Net Negative Approval Rating for His Entire Term
What We Know
Donald Trump is often cited as the first president in U.S. history to maintain a net negative approval rating throughout his entire term. According to The Economist, Trump's approval ratings were consistently low, with most presidents starting their terms with positive net approval. Trump's initial approval rating was notably low, and he spent the majority of his presidency with a negative approval rating.
Data compiled from the American Presidency Project indicates that Trump's final approval rating was significantly lower than his initial rating, confirming that he did not achieve a positive net approval at any point during his presidency. The Wikipedia page on U.S. presidential approval ratings corroborates this, showing that Trump's average final approval rating was -15, indicating a consistent decline in public support.
Polling data from Gallup also supports this claim, revealing that Trump's approval ratings were the lowest for any president since polling began, with a net negative approval rating throughout his term (Gallup).
Analysis
The assertion that Trump is the first president to maintain a net negative approval rating throughout his term is supported by multiple credible sources. The American Presidency Project provides a historical context for approval ratings, showing that previous presidents typically experience an increase in approval ratings at the start of their terms, which Trump did not.
The Wikipedia article provides a comprehensive overview of presidential approval ratings and highlights Trump's unique position in this regard. It notes that while other presidents have faced low approval ratings, none have sustained a net negative rating for their entire term.
Furthermore, The Economist and Gallup provide statistical evidence that reinforces this claim, showing that Trump's approval ratings were not only low but also consistently negative. This contrasts sharply with other presidents who, despite facing challenges, managed to regain positive approval ratings at various points in their terms.
The reliability of these sources is high, as they are well-regarded in political analysis and polling. The American Presidency Project is a respected academic resource, while Gallup is a leading polling organization with a long history of tracking public opinion.
Conclusion
The claim that Donald Trump is the first president in U.S. history to maintain a net negative approval rating for his entire term is True. This conclusion is based on consistent data from reputable sources that document Trump's approval ratings throughout his presidency, confirming that he did not achieve a positive net approval at any point.
Sources
- Donald Trump's approval rating | The Economist
- Final Presidential Job Approval Ratings
- United States presidential approval rating - Wikipedia
- Trump's Approval Rating Has Been Falling Steadily ...
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- Presidential Approval Ratings -- Donald Trump - Gallup.com
- Donald Trump Just Tied His Own Approval Rating Record
- Pourquoi ce chapeau de Melania Trump
