Fact Check: "Trump's approval margin has widened to -5 percentage points."
What We Know
The claim that "Trump's approval margin has widened to -5 percentage points" suggests that President Donald Trump has a net approval rating of -5%. However, recent polling data indicates otherwise. According to the New Marquette Law School Poll, conducted from May 5 to May 15, 2025, Trump's overall approval rating stands at 46% approval and 54% disapproval, resulting in a net approval of -8 percentage points. This figure has remained unchanged since the previous poll conducted in March 2025.
Furthermore, the poll reveals a wide variation in approval across specific issues, with net approval ratings ranging from +12% on border security to -32% on inflation and the cost of living. The overall approval rating of -8% contradicts the claim of a -5% margin.
Analysis
The assertion that Trump's approval margin has widened to -5% lacks support from credible polling data. The Marquette Law School Poll is a reputable source, providing detailed methodology and a sample size of 1,004 adults nationwide, with a margin of error of +/-3.6 percentage points. The consistency of the results over time adds to the reliability of this source.
In contrast, the claim does not specify the source of the -5% figure, making it difficult to assess its validity. The New York Times also tracks Trump's approval ratings but does not report a -5% margin in their latest updates. Instead, they provide a range of approval ratings that reflect a similar trend of disapproval exceeding approval.
Given that the Marquette poll is recent and methodologically sound, it serves as a more reliable indicator of Trump's approval status than unspecified claims. The lack of clarity regarding the origin of the -5% figure raises questions about its accuracy and credibility.
Conclusion
The claim that "Trump's approval margin has widened to -5 percentage points" is False. The most recent and credible polling data indicates that Trump's overall approval rating is -8 percentage points, not -5. This discrepancy highlights the importance of relying on verified polling sources and data when discussing political approval ratings.
