Gallup Suspends Presidential Approval Tracking, Speculation Over Political Pressure

Gallup, the preeminent polling institution that has measured American public opinion for nearly 90 years, announced it will discontinue its presidential job approval ratings, ending one of the country's most cited benchmarks for executive performance.

The organization confirmed the decision via a spokesperson, citing internal strategic shifts and a desire to focus on "the issues and environments that shape people's lives" rather than individual politician favorability.

​However, the move has drawn intense scrutiny given its timing during President Donald Trump's second term, which has been marked by historic lows in polling numbers and open hostility toward media metrics.

End of an Era

The discontinuation breaks a longitudinal record that has served as a primary index of public sentiment since the Harry Truman administration. For decades, Gallup's approval rating has functioned as a microcosm of American history, capturing pivotal shifts in the national mood—from the 90% approval rating recorded by President George W. Bush in the days following the Sept. 11 attacks to the fluctuating fortunes of recent administrations. （Related： Beijing Softens Tone Towards Taiwan, Top Official Emphasizes Peace in Talks with KMT ｜ Latest ）

In a statement,the agency emphasized that "leadership ratings have been part of Gallup's history."

"At the same time, the context around these measures has changed."

"Our commitment is to long-term, methodologically sound research on issues and conditions that shape people's lives,”a spokesperson for the agency noted.

"That work will continue through the Gallup Poll Social Series, the Gallup Quarterly Business Review, the World Poll, and our portfolio of US and global research.”

Political Friction and Falling Numbers

The decision comes as President Trump's approval ratings have hit new lows. According to Gallup's archives, the president's rating slid to 36% in December 2025, down from 47% at the start of his second term.

Throughout his presidency, Trump has maintained an adversarial relationship with polling institutions, frequently attacking outlets that publish data he deems unfavorable. This hostility recently escalated following a January poll byThe New York Times and Siena College that placed his approval at 40%, a three-point drop from September 2025.

In response, Trump threatened to expand existing defamation litigation against the newspaper to include the polling results in claims for damages. He took to social media to characterize the "Times/Siena Poll" as historically biased, citing his 2024 electoral victory as a refutation of their data.

Despite Gallup's insistence that its pivot is internal, the cessation of its presidential tracking removes a central data point from the political conversation just as the administration faces deepened public disapproval.

Original Article in Chinese （Related： Beijing Softens Tone Towards Taiwan, Top Official Emphasizes Peace in Talks with KMT ｜ Latest ）