Image Credentials: Image Title: New Trump Poll Sends Shockwaves Through U.S. Politics Source: (sora.openai) Date: January 2026. Attribution: This image was created using AI-generated imagery (sora.openai) and does not depict a real-world scene.
By Open Chronicle News Desk Staff with Agencies
WASHINGTON — A newly released national poll has delivered sobering news for President Donald Trump’s administration, showing his foreign policy approval rating slipping to its lowest level yet — even as his overall job approval remains underwater with Americans.
According to the Jan. 12–13 Marist Poll, just 37 percent of U.S. adults approve of how President Trump is handling foreign policy, while 56 percent disapprove and 7 percent are unsure, marking the lowest net approval of his foreign affairs management in his second term so far. The decline is driven largely by broad opposition to recent military and diplomatic actions, including interventions in Venezuela and heightened global tensions.
The poll also finds significant skepticism about America’s global role: 57 percent of Americans believe Trump’s decisions have weakened the U.S.’s influence on the world stage, compared with just 43 percent who think he has strengthened it. While Republicans overwhelmingly continue to support the president’s foreign policy approach, independent and Democratic voters are far more critical.
On the economy, another cornerstone of Trump’s platform, approval was barely better. Just 36 percent of respondents said they approve of Trump’s handling of the economy, while 57 percent disapproved, reinforcing public frustration with rising prices and living costs even amid economic growth claims.
Overall approval for Trump’s job performance also remains weak, with 38 percent of Americans approving and 56 percent disapproving of his leadership. This reflects a broader pattern of public dissatisfaction that has persisted since late 2025.
The poll has triggered a flurry of reactions on social media. Commentators questioned how a president with such controversial policies still maintains nearly four in ten supporters. Sarah Longwell, publisher of The Bulwark, highlighted that Americans broadly oppose military action abroad and disapprove of Trump’s leadership on key issues. Others criticized the persistence of a loyal base amidst sharp public criticism.
“These numbers are brutal, and entirely justified,” one user wrote, asserting that a majority now views Trump as unfit for office. Another commentator noted the stark contrast between social media echo chambers and broader national sentiment.
The Marist data also shows Americans are wary of expanded military engagement without congressional oversight, with 70 percent saying the U.S. should consult Congress before any military action. Opposition spans party lines to varying degrees, revealing deep unease about recent foreign policy decisions.
Partisan divides remain entrenched: while more than 80 percent of Republicans approve of Trump’s foreign policy, opposition is near consensus among Democrats and strong among independents. This sharp split suggests that while Trump retains enthusiastic support within his base, he struggles to appeal beyond it on international affairs.
As Trump’s presidency continues, these polling figures highlight the political risks of controversial foreign policy maneuvers and rising public skepticism about U.S. global leadership. With disapproval concentrated on interventions abroad and economic dissatisfaction at home, the political landscape is shaping into a referendum not only on Trump’s actions but on America’s role in the world.
If current trends persist, foreign policy, traditionally a strength for incumbents, could become a central battleground in broader public opinion and future electoral contests.
Sources:
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Marist Poll on U.S. foreign policy and Trump approval (Jan 12–13, 2026)