Summarize this content to 2000 words in 6 paragraphs President Donald Trump’s approval rating is better than most world leaders, according to a new poll.The poll, conducted by Morning Consult between January 21 and 27, showed Trump beating all but four world leaders.Why It MattersTrump’s strong approval ratings compared to other world leaders highlights his enduring political influence, both domestically and internationally.What To KnowThe poll showed that Trump’s approval rating stands at 52 percent, while 38 percent disapprove of him. Ten percent of those polled answered that they don’t know if they approve or disapprove of him.Only four world leaders beat Trump in the rankings: Swiss President Karin Keller-Sutter, Argentine President Javier Milei, Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Modi had the highest approval rating of all the world leaders, with 75 percent saying they approved of him and 19 percent disapproving. He was followed by Sheinbaum with 66 percent approval and 26 percent disapproval.Milei was next with an approval rating of 65 percent and a disapproval rating of 30 percent, while Keller-Sutter had an approval rating of 56 percent and a disapproval rating of 20 percent.Among the least popular world leaders were Canada’s Justin Trudeau, with whom Trump has been embroiled in a row over tariffs. Just 22 percent of those polled said they approve of Trudeau, who announced last month that he would resign after facing growing calls from within his own party to quit. His disapproval rating was 71 percent.Germany’s Olaf Schulz and France’s Emmanuel Macron were also near the bottom of the list. Only 20 percent said they approve of Schulz, while 74 percent said they disapprove. And 18 percent said they approve of Macron, while 76 percent said they disapprove.However, the poll showed that South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol was even less popular. Yeol was recently suspended after he was impeached for declaring martial law, accusing members of the National Assembly of supporting North Korea. Yoon lifted the declaration after the National Assembly passed an emergency motion nullifying it several hours later. Just 17 percent of those polled said they approve of Yeol, while 75 percent disapprove.
President Donald Trump gestures as he arrives to speak during the National Prayer Breakfast at the Washington Hilton in Washington on February 6, 2025.
President Donald Trump gestures as he arrives to speak during the National Prayer Breakfast at the Washington Hilton in Washington on February 6, 2025.
TING SHEN/AFP via Getty Images
Czech Prime Minister Petr Fiala was revealed to be the least popular world leader, with 16 percent saying they approve of him, compared to 77 percent who disapprove. Fiala has been in power since 2021, but his popularity has recently reached record lows owing to financial problems in the country. In November, he signed into law an economic package of dozens of measures introducing budget cuts and increased taxes, breaking his promise not to raise taxes.Ratings show a seven-day average of adult views in each surveyed country.Why Is Trump So Popular?Trump’s populairty on the world stage comes as polls show he is more popular than ever. The latest polling from Emerson College, conducted between January 27 and 28 among 1,000 registered voters, showed that Trump’s approval rating stands at 49 percent, while 41 percent disapprove. The poll had a margin of error of +/-3 percentage points.That marks an increase for Trump from his first term, when Emerson College polling showed that his approval rating peaked at 48 percent in August 2020. Trump left office in January 2021 with the lowest rating of his presidency, 34 percent, after the January 6 riot at the U.S. Capitol.The poll also showed that most voters (52 percent) think the United States is headed in the right direction, while 48 percent believe it is on the wrong track. That was a significant shift from earlier in January when 67 percent said the country was on the wrong track to 33 percent in the right direction.Polls indicate strong public support for Trump’s immigration agenda, which has included ramping up deportations, ending birthright citizenship and proposals to build facilities to house illegal immigrants at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. A New York Times/Ipsos survey (January 2-10) found that 55 percent of voters back his mass deportation plan, while 88 percent support deporting undocumented immigrants with criminal records. Most Democrats and Republicans agree that the immigration system is broken.Polls also show Trump gaining support among traditionally Democratic-leaning groups. A January 21-23 AtlasIntel poll found that 69 percent of Black voters approve of his job performance, compared to 50 percent of white voters. The same poll found that 72 percent of Black voters see immigration as a key challenge for the U.S.Emerson’s latest poll also shows Trump with a net positive approval in all age groups except those over 70. Among 18- to 29-year-olds, his approval is 46 percent, suggesting Gen Z support despite their historical Democratic lean.However, despite his rising popularity, Trump remains one of the least popular U.S. presidents. According to the latest Gallup poll, he holds the lowest approval rating of any elected president since 1953 and is the only one to start with sub-50 percent approval.Polling experts have told Newsweek that it is not uncommon for presidents to experience a “honeymoon period” in the polls when they first start their term and that his approval rating is likely to fluctuate.What People Are SayingThomas Gift, an associate professor of political science and director of the Centre on U.S. Politics at University College London, told Newsweek: “A big part of Trump’s appeal at the moment is simply a reflection of the fact that he’s in his honeymoon period. There’s a deference given to leaders in the initial part of their tenure that tends to fade over time as governing sets in. That said, to discount Trump’s rising approval numbers as simply a matter of timing probably doesn’t give him enough credit. He’s scored big improvements across a number of key voting demographics. There’s a big anti-incumbent sentiment in America right now, a hunger for populist nationalism, and a desire to ‘shake up’ the system. If Trump’s first few weeks in office have shown anything, it’s that he’s flooding the zone and overwhelming Washington with change at a breakneck speed.”Andrew David, senior lecturer in social science at Boston University, told Newsweek: “I’m not necessarily surprised by Trump’s numbers. These are impressive for him personally for sure. But this is the point in his administration when he should have numbers along these lines. Considering the scope of his November victory, it would be shocking if there was a major regress in his support.”That said, while these are great numbers for Trump, they’re still low by almost any measure of the presidency. In fact, the only person who started with lower numbers was…Donald Trump [in 2016].”Laura Smith, a presidential historian at Oxford University, told Newsweek: “Modern presidents normally begin their term with a so-called ‘honeymoon’ period, enabling them to be particularly active in their first 100 days.”Trump has effectively convinced people to vote against their self-interest, including their economic interest, and soon rhetoric will turn into reality and polls will change.”What Happens NextWhether Trump’s improved approval ratings will hold remains uncertain.
President Donald Trump’s approval rating is better than most world leaders, according to a new poll.
President Donald Trump’s approval rating is better than most world leaders, according to a new poll.
Newsweek illustration/ Getty Images
