Recent polling data paints a stark picture of Melania Trump’s standing as First Lady, revealing her to be the least favored in history, with approval ratings described as “historically awful.”
According to analysis, her current approval rating sits at -12, a significant drop from a positive three just over a year ago in January 2025. This decline comes ahead of a notable address she delivered from the White House on Thursday, where she distanced herself from disgraced sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. Importantly, the polling results were released prior to her statement and are not influenced by it.
“The American people really don’t care for Melania Trump,” remarked a senior data analyst, who provided insights on CNN News Central before her address. The analyst emphasized that this is the lowest approval rating recorded at this stage of a presidency, indicating that Melania is breaking records in an undesirable manner.
In comparison to previous First Ladies such as Michelle Obama, Jill Biden, Hillary Clinton, and Laura Bush—all of whom enjoyed net positive ratings—Melania’s numbers stand out starkly. Nancy Reagan holds the record for the highest approval rating at 50 percent, underscoring the depth of Melania's unpopularity.
Melania has consistently faced public scrutiny, often opting to remain in the background while her husband takes center stage. Her controversial fashion choices have also drawn attention; notably, in 2018, she wore a jacket emblazoned with "I Really Don't Care. Do U?" during a visit to child detention centers in Texas, which sparked widespread debate.
On Thursday, the analyst also discussed Melania’s documentary, "Melania: Twenty Days To History," released on Amazon in January and met with harsh criticism. The film's reception is believed to have negatively impacted her popularity.
“Many perceived it as political, regardless of her intentions,” the analyst noted. “This is real-world data reflecting her historic lack of appeal as First Lady.”
Describing the documentary as having “bombed,” he pointed out that it failed to recoup its production costs. “This aligns with the polling data, reinforcing that Melania Trump is historically unpopular for a First Lady,” he concluded.
