Polling data from The Economist/YouGov shows that U.S. President Donald Trump's net approval rating among millennials, defined as individuals born between 1981 and 1996, has increased from -19 percentage points in September to -15 points in December. Despite this uptick, the approval rating remains below the threshold of majority support, with 39 percent approving and 54 percent disapproving of his performance.

The Pew Research Center identifies millennials as the largest voting demographic, surpassing baby boomers, making their political alignment significant for upcoming elections, including the midterms in November 2026. The polling conducted between September 26 and September 29 revealed a net approval rating of -19 points, with 37 percent approval and 56 percent disapproval. This rating further declined to -28 points in a subsequent poll from October 31 to November 3, where 33 percent approved and 61 percent disapproved.

The latest poll indicates a modest recovery in Trump's approval among millennials, although the reasons for this shift are not clearly defined, as pollsters did not gather specific factors influencing voter sentiment. Notably, a federal government shutdown in October may have impacted the distribution of federal funds and services, potentially affecting public perception.

Mark Shanahan, a political science educator at the University of Surrey, commented that the slight increase in approval is likely more indicative of a less negative week for Trump rather than a significant positive change. He noted that issues such as climate change, student debt, and the cost of living are critical concerns for millennials, and there has been little progress on these fronts.

In broader polling contexts, Trump's approval rating has reached its lowest since his return to office in January, with a net approval rating of -19 points according to The Economist/YouGov. Other polling, such as I&I/TIPP, reports a net approval rating of -3 points, with 44 percent approval and 47 percent disapproval.

As Trump's presidency continues, fluctuations in approval ratings across various age groups, including millennials, are expected.