As President Donald Trump celebrates his 80th birthday, a new state-by-state map of his approval rating reveals a familiar partisan divide, but with weakened margins. This map, based on a rolling poll of registered voters, highlights a concerning trend for Trump's presidency. The numbers show a clear pattern of disapproval, especially among younger voters, independents, and women, which is impacting his standing in key battleground states.
The map reveals that Trump's strongest support still comes from deeply Republican states, but even these early advantages have narrowed significantly. For instance, Wyoming, once his best state with a +47 net approval rating, now stands at +25. Similarly, Kentucky, which started with a +23 rating, has plummeted to -4, a 27-point decline. This erosion of support is evident across the red-state interior, with many states now showing much slimmer margins.
The swing states, which often decide national elections, have moved further against Trump. Florida, once a positive state, now sits at -13 net approval, a 22-point drop. Ohio, Nevada, and North Carolina have also seen significant declines, with Pennsylvania and Michigan now clearly in the negative territory. These losses are not just in safe blue states but also in red or red-leaning states where Trump's early support was strong.
Deep blue states remain firmly opposed, with Hawaii posting the lowest net approval at -61. However, the middle of the map has tightened, with many states clustering close to the line between positive and negative territory. This suggests a less stable political landscape than it initially appears, with thinner margins across the board.
The White House, however, argues that Trump's 2024 election victory is a clear measure of public support, reflecting a mandate from nearly 80 million voters. They claim that Trump is delivering on a popular agenda, but the approval rating map tells a different story. The weakened margins and shifts in key states indicate a more complex and uncertain political landscape than the administration might suggest.
