Gallup to stop tracking presidential approval ratings
gallup will stop producing presidential approval ratings in 2026 after more than 80 years, ending a practice that began with Harry Truman. the company says the change reflects an evolution in its public-research focus and will allow it to concentrate on other long-running programs such as the Gallup Poll Social Series, the Gallup Quarterly Business Review, the World Poll, and broader U.S. and global research.Gallup emphasizes that the shift is strategic and not due to political pressure.
The move comes as broader polling has led to ratings being widely produced, aggregated, and interpreted by others, with Gallup stating it can no longer make its moast distinctive contribution in this area. In its most recent December poll, president Donald Trump’s approval stood at 36%, down from a high near 47% earlier in his term. Historically, Truman and both Bush presidents posted the highest peak approvals in Gallup’s records (87% for Truman, 89% for george H.W. Bush,and 90% for George W. Bush).
Gallup to stop tracking presidential approval ratings after over 80 years
Gallup is no longer producing presidential approval ratings starting in 2026, ending its over 80-year practice.
The oft-cited analytics company has been tracking presidential approval ratings since former President Harry Truman took office. Gallup told the Hill on Wednesday that its move “reflects an evolution in how Gallup focuses its public research and thought leadership.”
“Our commitment is to long-term, methodologically sound research on issues and conditions that shape people’s lives,” a Gallup spokesperson told the outlet. “That work will continue through the Gallup Poll Social Series, the Gallup Quarterly Business Review, the World Poll, and our portfolio of U.S. and global research.”
Gallup told Axios that though the ratings “have been part of Gallup’s history,” they are now “widely produced, aggregated and interpreted, and no longer represent an area where Gallup can make its most distinctive contribution.”
According to Gallup’s most recent presidential approval rating poll taken in December, President Donald Trump’s approval rating sat at 36%, which was down 11% from his highest second-term polling at 47% when he first took office.
Earlier presidents in the approval rating series tended to have higher average approval ratings than the more modern-era presidents polled by Gallup. The three presidents with the highest peak approval ratings according to Gallup have been Truman and both Bushes.
Truman hit 87% after he first took office in June 1945, George H.W. Bush hit 89% in early March 1991 after Operation Desert Storm, and George W. Bush hit 90% in September 2001 after the 9/11 attacks.
TRUMP ‘STUCK’ WITH ‘NEGATIVE’ APPROVAL ON THE ECONOMY: GUY BENSON
Gallup told both Axios and the Hill, when asked if the move was related to any political pressure, that the decision was “a strategic shift solely based on Gallup’s research goals and priorities.”
Gallup did not respond to the Washington Examiner’s request for comment.
" Conservative News Daily does not always share or support the views and opinions expressed here; they are just those of the writer."
*As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases
