President Donald Trump took to social media this week to celebrate what he claimed were the strongest poll numbers of his political career. But while the survey he shared did show relatively solid support for him personally, it also exposed a growing and potentially damaging problem for one of the most important agencies driving his immigration agenda: Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
On Monday night, Trump claimed his current poll results were the best he had ever received. According to Mediaite, he posted, “The highest Poll Numbers I have ever received. Obviously, people like a strong and powerful Country, with the best economy, EVER!” However, most recent surveys show his overall approval rating is actually low.
Trump then shared a specific survey showing his approval rating at 50%, which stayed the same from the previous month. The poll said, “But Trump Stays Solid,” but the results also contained other important information.
The poll exposed a serious problem for ICE’s reputation
The survey showed that ICE’s image has gotten much worse. Only 42% of people view the agency favorably, while 50% view it unfavorably. Among Hispanic voters, the numbers are even worse, with 58% disapproving and only 31% approving.
This creates a major issue for the administration’s border policies. By sharing this poll, Trump highlighted data showing that public trust in a key enforcement agency is dropping. Despite Trump’s claims about silent majority support, the broader data tells a different story.
The decline in ICE’s approval likely comes from recent incidents. Last month, federal agents shot and killed two U.S. citizens in separate cases. In Minneapolis, where the administration deployed about 3,000 immigration agents, officials have detained children and arrested asylum seekers.
An internal memo also revealed that agents were told they don’t need a judicial warrant to enter people’s homes. Trump’s 50% approval rating stands out compared to other recent polls. A different survey conducted between January 20 and January 26 showed his approval at just 37%, down from 40% in the fall.
That same survey of over 8,500 adults found that half said Trump’s actions since taking office have been worse than expected. Only 21% said his actions were better than expected, and 28% said they met expectations. The survey also showed declining confidence across all six measured areas, including among Republicans regarding Trump’s mental fitness, respect for democratic values, and ethical behavior. This isn’t the first time Trump’s poll number claims faced scrutiny from actual polling data.
Published: Feb 3, 2026 10:15 am