Analyzing the Claim: "Trump's Approval Rating Went Up"

1. Introduction

The claim that "Trump's approval rating went up" suggests a recent increase in the public's approval of former President Donald Trump. This assertion has been circulated in various media outlets and discussions, particularly in the context of his potential candidacy for the 2024 presidential election. However, the validity of this claim requires careful examination of multiple polling sources and their methodologies.

2. What We Know

Several polls provide insights into Trump's approval ratings:

• According to a Marquette Law School Poll conducted in December 2023, Trump's approval rating reached its highest level since March of the same year, indicating a notable increase in retrospective approval among respondents 1.
• Conversely, a Reuters/Ipsos poll from April 2025 reported a decline in Trump's approval to 43%, marking the lowest rating since he returned to office, suggesting that the approval trend may not be consistently upward 2.
• The New York Times maintains a tracker for Trump's approval ratings, which shows fluctuations over time, but does not provide a definitive upward trend in recent months 3.
• A Fox News Poll indicated that Trump's approval ratings had fallen, with a significant disapproval rate among respondents 4.
• USA Today reported a recent Rasmussen poll showing Trump's approval at 52%, which could support the claim of an increase, but this figure must be contextualized with other polls that show lower approval ratings 5.
• CNBC highlighted that Trump's approval rating regarding economic performance had dropped to the lowest of his presidency, which could negatively impact overall approval 6.
• An Emerson College Poll from October 2023 indicated that Trump had made inroads with young voters, showing a slight increase in support compared to the previous month 7.

3. Analysis

The claim of an increase in Trump's approval rating is supported by some polls while contradicted by others, demonstrating the complexity of public opinion.

• Source Reliability: The Marquette Law School Poll is generally considered credible within academic circles, but it is important to note that its methodology and sample size should be scrutinized for potential biases 1. Polls conducted by Rasmussen Reports often lean conservative, which may influence the results in favor of Trump 8. Similarly, Fox News has been criticized for its partisan leanings, which could affect the interpretation of their polling data 4.

• Conflicting Data: The divergence in polling results raises questions about the consistency of Trump's approval ratings. While some polls indicate an increase, others show a decline, particularly in specific areas like economic approval 6. This inconsistency suggests that public opinion may be highly variable and influenced by current events, media coverage, and political developments.

• Methodological Concerns: The methodologies employed by these polling organizations can significantly impact the results. For example, the sample size, demographic representation, and question phrasing can all lead to different interpretations of approval ratings. It would be beneficial to have access to detailed methodology reports for each poll to better understand how the results were derived.

4. Conclusion

Verdict: Partially True

The claim that "Trump's approval rating went up" is partially true based on the evidence available. Some polls, such as the Marquette Law School Poll and the Rasmussen poll, indicate an increase in Trump's approval ratings, particularly among certain demographics. However, other polls, including those from Reuters and Fox News, show a decline in approval, particularly regarding economic performance. This inconsistency highlights the complexity of public opinion and suggests that while there may be instances of increased approval, they are not universally reflected across all polling data.

It is important to acknowledge the limitations of the available evidence, as polling methodologies can vary significantly, and results may be influenced by factors such as sample size and demographic representation. Additionally, the fluctuating nature of public opinion means that any increase in approval may be temporary and subject to change based on current events.

Readers are encouraged to critically evaluate information and consider the broader context when interpreting approval ratings and similar claims.