Gallup is retiring its 88-year presidential approval question, ending the country’s longest-running political report card in an era of hardened parti...
TL;DR
Gallup is discontinuing its 88-year presidential approval tracking, ending a key political benchmark amid heightened partisanship and shifting polling priorities. The move reflects reduced distinctiveness as competitors cover the metric and may impact data continuity for researchers. It highlights broader changes in polling methods and raises concerns about reliability in a polarized era.
Gallup is retiring its 88-year presidential approval question, ending the country’s longest-running political report card in an era of hardened partisanship
Gallup Ends 88-Year Presidential Approval Tracking Amid Shifts in Political Polling
Gallup Inc., a pioneer in public opinion research, has announced it will discontinue its long-running presidential approval tracking, ending a continuous data series that began in the Franklin D. Roosevelt era. The decision reflects evolving priorities in the polling landscape, with Gallup shifting focus to research on societal trends and institutional trust rather than individual political figures.
For decades, Gallup's approval question—“Do you approve or disapprove of the way [President] is handling his job?”— served as a benchmark for measuring presidential performance and political capital. The metric was widely cited in academic studies and media analyses, offering insights into congressional dynamics, policy outcomes, and electoral trends. However, the firm noted that the question is now extensively covered by competitors, reducing its ability to provide a "distinctive contribution."
The move comes amid heightened political polarization, which has diminished the predictive power of approval ratings. Scholars observe that recent presidents, including Donald Trump and Joe Biden, have maintained relatively stable approval numbers, often reflecting partisan alignment rather than policy performance. Trump's Gallup approval rating, for instance, has historically ranged between 34% and 49%, with his final reading at 36% in December 2025. Analysts suggest Gallup's departure may slightly elevate aggregate approval averages, as its numbers frequently ranked among the lowest for Trump.
Gallup's exit also raises concerns about data continuity for researchers. The firm's time series had been a critical tool for analyzing long-term political trends, and its absence may complicate comparative studies of presidential effectiveness. Meanwhile, the proliferation of alternative polls and aggregators—such as RealClearPolitics and FiveThirtyEight—has fragmented the landscape, though some experts caution that non-Gallup surveys may lack methodological consistency.
The decision underscores broader shifts in polling, including declining reliance on traditional methodologies like telephone surveys and a growing emphasis on corporate and global research for Gallup. While the firm remains a key player in workplace engagement and international surveys, its exit from presidential approval tracking marks a significant departure from its historical role in American political discourse.
As the 2026 midterm elections approach, the absence of Gallup's data may amplify debates over the reliability of polling in an era of deepening partisanship and skepticism toward institutional metrics.
