Summary
There was confusion on social media about a 15.3 percent figure linked to President Donald Trump's approval ratings. Many people mistakenly thought this number was his raw approval rating, but it was actually his net approval rating, which is the difference between those who approve and those who disapprove of his job performance. The actual approval ratings in major polls show higher percentages than 15.3 percent.
Key Facts
- The 15.3 percent figure is President Trump's net approval rating, not his raw approval score.
- Net approval rating means the gap between approval and disapproval percentages.
- Social media posts misunderstood or misrepresented this figure as Trump's overall approval.
- Real polls show Trump's approval ratings around the high 30s or low 40s.
- RealClearPolling recently listed Trump with a 42.3 percent approval rating.
- The lowest historical presidential approval rating recorded is 22 percent for Harry S. Truman.
- False claims about Trump being the "most unpopular president ever" circulated online.
