President Trump’s approval rating has slipped to 45 percent, according to the latest Emerson College Polling survey, while 47 percent of voters say they disapprove of his job performance. The four-point dip in approval since January comes alongside a six-point rise in disapproval.
The survey also shows a plurality of voters opposed to Trump’s decision to deploy the National Guard in support of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. Forty-eight percent disapprove of the move to send soldiers to 19 states, while 44 percent approve. Opinions varied by location: 48 percent of respondents backed the idea of deploying troops to Washington, D.C., but nearly the same number opposed sending them to Los Angeles, New York, or Boston. In Chicago, 47 percent said they were against the deployment.
The poll, which sampled 1,000 registered voters, also revealed shifting dynamics in the Democratic field. California Gov. Gavin Newsom saw his support rise from 12 percent in June to 25 percent, with notable jumps across age and racial groups, including younger voters, older voters, and both Black and White respondents. In a potential general election matchup, Newsom and Vice President JD Vance were tied at 44 percent, with 12 percent undecided.
When asked about their top concerns, 33 percent of voters named the economy, followed by 24 percent who cited threats to democracy, 12 percent who pointed to immigration, and 9 percent who mentioned health care. A growing number of Americans — 41 percent — said their family finances are worse than a year ago.
The survey also found overwhelming support for national marijuana legalization, with 65 percent of respondents in favor, up five points since last fall. The strongest support came from voters under 30 and those in their 40s, while those over 70 remained opposed.
Looking ahead to the NFL season, 10 percent of voters picked the Kansas City Chiefs to win the Super Bowl. The defending champion Philadelphia Eagles and the Buffalo Bills each drew 7 percent, while the Detroit Lions captured 5 percent. Regional loyalties played a role, with Northeasterners favoring the Eagles and Midwesterners leaning toward the Lions and Packers.
The Emerson College survey was conducted August 21–25 with a margin of error of 3.4 percentage points.