Trump Job Approval Edges Past Obama and Bush at Comparable Point in Second Term

President Donald Trump’s job approval rating has edged past those of former Presidents Barack Obama and George W. Bush at the same stage of their second terms, according to the RealClearPolitics polling average as of mid-March 2026.

At roughly the 60-week mark of his second term, Trump holds a 42.7% approval rating with 54.8% disapproval. This matches or slightly exceeds Obama’s comparable figure of around 42% in March 2014 and clearly surpasses Bush’s average of roughly 38% (with some snapshots in the mid-30s) in March 2006. While Joe Biden’s was just a one-term President, Trump's approval also surpassed Biden's 41% approve / 56% disapprove.

The comparison comes despite widespread media narratives of chaos surrounding legislative battles, foreign policy tensions, and economic pressures. Voters continue to rank the economy as their top priority, where the administration points to ongoing tax reform and deregulation efforts as drivers of future growth.

The data underscores Trump’s resilience in public opinion even amid partisan gridlock in Congress and international challenges, including operations in the Middle East. Analysts note that while net approval remains negative, Trump’s standing at this early point in his second term is stronger than both predecessors faced at similar junctures.