Skip to content

Poll: Ryan Is Even Less Popular Than Trump

Only 29 percent of Americans approve of speaker’s performance

House Speaker Paul D. Ryan holds a lower job approval rating than President Donald Trump, according to a Pew Research Center study. (Tom Williams/CQ Roll Call file photo)
House Speaker Paul D. Ryan holds a lower job approval rating than President Donald Trump, according to a Pew Research Center study. (Tom Williams/CQ Roll Call file photo)

President Donald Trump is very unpopular, but an even smaller percentage of Americans approves of the job House Speaker Paul D. Ryan is doing, a new poll shows.

The Pew Research Center survey released Monday shows that just 29 percent of Americans approve of Ryan’s performance. In contrast, 39 percent approve of Trump, whose approval ratings rank among the lowest of recent presidents at this point in their terms.

Even among Republicans and Republican-leaning independents, only 51 percent approve of the job Ryan is doing, with 75 percent of Democrats and Democrat-leaning independents disapproving.

The study also pinpoints where Trump’s greatest demographic strength lies. Those who approve of his job performance are overwhelmingly white, older than 50, and likely to describe themselves as Republicans, especially conservative Republicans.

Democrats have not been able to capitalize on those low approval numbers for Ryan and Trump, the poll found. They have a slight advantage in popularity, with 45 percent of Americans having a favorable view of the party, compared to 40 percent for the Republicans.

Pew surveyed 1,501 adults by telephone from April 5-11. Depending on the question asked and the sample size, the margins of error ranged from 2.9 points to 4.5 points. 

Meanwhile, according to a recent Fox News poll, Sen. Bernie Sanders ranks among the most popular politicians in the U.S. Polled on their opinions of a few big-name lawmakers, 61 percent of Americans said they viewed the Vermont independent favorably. The next most popular politician is Vice President Mike Pence, seen favorably by 47 percent.

Recent Stories

Judge weighs in on lawmaker cost-of-living case

Capitol Ink | Road warrior

Appropriators approve Legislative Branch spending bill with GAO cuts

The 10 most vulnerable House members, less than 6 months from Election Day

Will the House ban staff from prediction markets? These members aren’t waiting

Trump’s influence on GOP primaries spurs ‘pretty sour’ feelings