A conservative polling firm previously praised by the Trump administration has delivered a stark assessment of President Donald Trump's job performance, revealing significant disapproval among American voters. Rasmussen Reports, often cited by Trump as one of the "most accurate" pollsters, released a national survey on Monday showing 56% of more than 1,000 likely U.S. voters disapprove of Trump's handling of his second term in the White House.
Sharp Decline from Previous Highs
This represents a notable shift from September, when Rasmussen reported Trump enjoyed a 57% approval rating—a figure that generated public skepticism, criticism from major news organizations, and celebratory social media posts from the White House. The latest findings indicate a dramatic reversal in Trump's standing with the electorate.
Direct Comparison with Biden
The survey delivered particularly damaging results when voters were asked to compare Trump directly with his predecessor. When presented with the question of who performed better in office, 48% of respondents selected President Joe Biden, while only 40% chose Trump—an eight-point deficit for the current president.
"Most voters don't think America is living in the 'Golden Age' that President Donald Trump promised in his inaugural address, and nearly half say he's doing a worse job than his predecessor," Rasmussen wrote in their Monday analysis.
The 'Golden Age' Promise Fades
The polling firm specifically examined Trump's inaugural declaration that "the golden age of America begins right now," with the president asserting his election would "be remembered as the greatest and most consequential election in the history of our country."
"The latest Rasmussen Reports national telephone and online survey finds that 27% of Likely Voters believe this is 'the Golden Age of America,' while 58% say it's not and 15% are not sure," the firm reported. This marks a substantial decline from January 2025, when 52% of voters agreed with Trump's optimistic declaration.
Pollster's Conservative Credentials
Rasmussen Reports maintains strong conservative credentials, with its social media accounts regularly amplifying pro-Trump talking points from Republican lawmakers, social media influencers, and MAGA commentators. Trump himself has frequently championed the firm as "one of the most accurate," "honest," and "best" polling organizations—particularly when their findings have been favorable to him.
Political Implications
Monday's poll results have provided relief to Democratic analysts who see evidence that Trump may be losing his hold on potential Republican voters. Even Mark Mitchell, Rasmussen's head pollster, acknowledged on social media that Biden would defeat Trump if an election were held today based on current polling data.
Trump has not publicly commented on the unfavorable survey results, but he remained active on social media throughout the week. After publishing multiple posts on Wednesday that rebuked accusations of bigotry, attacked Democratic lawmakers, and attempted to distance himself from late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, the president concluded with an optimistic declaration: ".....And now, THE GOLDEN AGE IS HERE!!!!"
The contrast between Trump's continued promotion of his "Golden Age" narrative and the polling data suggesting most Americans disagree with this assessment highlights the growing disconnect between the president's messaging and public perception as his second term progresses.
