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Trump's Approval Rating Dips for First Time in Months

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  Published in Business and Finance on Saturday, January 31st 2026 at 1:08 GMT by Newsweek
      Locales: Florida, Washington, New York, Pennsylvania, UNITED STATES

Milwaukee, Wisconsin - January 31st, 2026 - After months of remarkable stability, Donald Trump's approval rating has registered its first notable dip, according to a new USA TODAY/Marquette Law School poll released today. The slight but significant change - from 50.3% last month to 49.6% - is prompting analysts to reassess the former president's enduring grip on his base and explore potential shifts in the broader American electorate.

The poll, conducted between January 23rd and 27th among 1,035 registered voters in Wisconsin, revealed a corresponding increase in disapproval, moving from 46.9% to 47.9%. While the margin of error is +-2.8 percentage points, the directional change is the key takeaway. For months, Trump's approval had remained stubbornly consistent, defying predictions of erosion following the January 6th investigations and a series of ongoing legal battles. This newfound decline, however modest, suggests a potential loosening of that support.

Several factors are likely contributing to this subtle shift. The economy, despite recent positive indicators, continues to be a source of anxiety for many Americans. Concerns about inflation, while easing, haven't entirely dissipated, and wage stagnation remains a persistent issue, particularly for working-class voters. Trump's consistent messaging on economic nationalism resonated strongly with this demographic during his presidency, but the current economic reality may be tempering their enthusiasm.

However, the impact of the numerous legal challenges facing the former president cannot be understated. While Trump has successfully rallied his supporters around the narrative of political persecution, the sheer volume of indictments and civil suits - spanning allegations of election interference in Georgia, the January 6th insurrection, and financial improprieties related to his business dealings - appear to be slowly chipping away at his support, especially among independent and moderate voters.

The Wisconsin poll is particularly noteworthy given the state's pivotal role in presidential elections. Wisconsin was decided by a razor-thin margin in both 2016 and 2020, and is expected to be a crucial battleground state in the upcoming 2028 election. A decline in Trump's approval, even a small one, could have significant implications for his potential candidacy and the overall electoral landscape.

Political strategists are already analyzing the data for clues about the evolving dynamics of the electorate. Some suggest that the dip in approval reflects a growing sense of fatigue among voters, a desire for a new generation of leadership. Others point to the increasing polarization of the political climate, arguing that Trump's polarizing rhetoric is alienating moderate voters who may have previously been open to his message.

"We're seeing a subtle recalibration," explains Dr. Eleanor Vance, a political science professor at Marquette University. "Trump's core base remains incredibly loyal, but the number of persuadable voters appears to be shrinking. The key question now is whether this dip is a temporary blip or the beginning of a more sustained trend."

Furthermore, the rise of alternative conservative voices could also be playing a role. Several potential challengers to Trump have begun to emerge, appealing to different segments of the Republican base. While none currently pose a serious threat to Trump's dominance, their presence complicates the political calculus and offers voters options beyond the former president.

The USA TODAY/Marquette Law School poll provides a snapshot in time, and further polling will be crucial to determine whether this shift in approval is a fleeting anomaly or a harbinger of more significant change. However, one thing is clear: the political landscape is shifting, and the former president's previously unshakeable approval rating is no longer immune to the forces of change. The coming months will be critical in understanding whether this is the start of a new chapter in American politics, or simply a minor adjustment in a familiar narrative.