Forbes And HarrisX Partner On New American Confidence Survey As Gallup Ends Approval Polling
By Forbes Press Releases
Check out The Full Forbes/HarrisX Tracking Poll : HarrisX.com
Forbes and HarrisX’s New American Confidence Survey Finds Trump’s Approval Rating is Underwater at 41%, among U.S. Adults, but breaks 52% among Business Leaders.
NEW YORK, NY – May 6 - For nearly a century, Gallup’s monthly polling helped define how Americans understand themselves: their confidence in institutions, leadership and the direction of the country. When that cadence stopped, a quiet but consequential gap emerged.
Beginning today, and publishing at the start of each month, Forbes, in partnership with one of the country’s most accurate pollsters and widely cited public opinion research firms, HarrisX, launches The American Confidence Survey, debuting its inaugural findings on economic confidence, the American Dream, and the approval ratings of President Trump and billionaires, among other key professions and groups.
The first-ever results show President Trump’s job approval rating is underwater at -15 points. Today, 41% of Americans approve of President Trump’s performance, while 56% disapproved. The national survey included 2,569 respondents via phone and online, with a margin of error of ±1.93%.
Gallup, started in 1935, ceased its presidential approval ratings after 88 years – leaving an opportunity to fill that gap and bring transparent results to policymakers, business leaders, and the public.
America’s resilience in moments of strain depends on its institutions, and the willingness of others to step forward when something essential risks fading away. When one organization moves on from an important civic function, it becomes incumbent upon others to sustain it.
Forbes has long chronicled power, leadership and economic mobility, and is committed not only to covering institutions, but to help strengthen the information infrastructure that supports them. Reliable, longitudinal public opinion data is part of that infrastructure.
The American Confidence Survey will measure President Trump’s performance across an array of issues, including:
- Presidential job approval: 41% approve/55% disapprove
- Inflation: 32% approve/62% disapprove
- The economy: 37% approve/58% disapprove
- Tariffs and trade policy: 37% approve/56% disapprove
- Foreign affairs and national security: 40% approve/53% disapprove
- Administering the government: 40% approve/53% disapprove
- Conflict with Iran: 37% approve/57% disapprove
*These data points are updated as of May 5, 2026
“For decades, Americans have relied on trusted benchmarks to gauge the nation’s mood and leadership standing. As that landscape shifts, Forbes is stepping up with HarrisX to pick up the baton—delivering a new, consistent measure of American confidence grounded in data, clarity, accountability and trusted journalism, ” said Randall Lane, Chief Content Officer of Forbes. “Our first month’s findings spotlight that despite concerns about the future, Americans still believe in the American Dream. At a time when trust is fragile, continuity itself is an act of stewardship—and rigorous, trusted journalism provides clarity. Forbes is leading the American Dream conversation, both chronicling it and helping define what it means today.”
“As we reflect on the country’s 250th anniversary, we realize that American confidence is one of the most consequential resources in our history,” said Dritan Nesho, CEO and head researcher at HarrisX. “Polling plays a unique role in understanding the sources of optimism and strength in the country, as well as our perceived weaknesses and concerns, and how citizens, voters and business leaders would like to see them addressed by elected leaders and democratic institutions. The goal of this partnership is to regularly study and bring to the fore of public discourse what American confidence means today. I can’t think of two better brands to do that than Forbes and HarrisX.”
The research will be conducted monthly by HarrisX using nationally representative samples and transparent methodology, ensuring continuity, comparability and credibility. The goal is simple: maintain a reliable, consistent pulse on American sentiment.
The survey’s question design and methodology are structured to ensure continuity with decades of prior public opinion research, including benchmarks established by Gallup, enabling meaningful comparisons over time.
The foundation of American institutions is strengthened when others step up to protect what matters. In journalism, that means safeguarding the tools that allow citizens, leaders and markets to understand the public mood with clarity rather than conjecture.
About Forbes
Forbes is an iconic global media brand that has symbolized success for over a century. Fueled by journalism that informs and inspires, Forbes spotlights the doers and doings shaping industries, achieving success and making an impact on the world. Forbes connects and convenes the most influential communities ranging from billionaires, business leaders and rising entrepreneurs to creators and innovators. The Forbes brand reaches more than 140 million people monthly worldwide through its trusted journalism, signature ForbesLive events and 49 licensed local editions in 81 countries.
About HarrisX
HarrisX, a Stagwell company, is a strategic research and advisory firm that delivers clear, data-driven answers to complex and pressing questions faced by corporate, political and government clients. Powered by proprietary technology and a campaign-style approach, we move fast, cut through the noise, and surface insights that drive real-world impact. With offices in the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Singapore and Australia, we advise Fortune 100 companies, public institutions, global leaders, NGOs, and philanthropic organizations. Named one of top and most accurate pollsters of the 2020 and 2024 U.S. presidential elections, HarrisX doesn't just deliver data — we deliver confident decisions.
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