New poll reveals how Americans really feel about Melania Trump compared to other first ladies
Melania Trump’s time as First Lady has often mirrored the political turbulence surrounding her husband, Donald Trump. While she has maintained a visible presence at select events, she has largely kept a low public profile compared to many of her predecessors. Now, a new national poll offers insight into how Americans currently assess her performance — and how she compares to other First Ladies in modern history.
A Different Approach to a Second White House Chapter
Before returning to the White House in January of last year, Melania indicated that her second tenure would not mirror her first. The Slovenian-born former model explained that she intended to divide her time between Washington, Palm Beach, and New York City, while still carrying out official responsibilities.
Rather than dramatically expanding her public schedule, she has continued to emphasize select initiatives — most notably her “Be Best” campaign — while also focusing significant attention on a documentary project about her life and public role.
The Documentary and Public Reaction
Shortly before the inauguration, Melania announced that a documentary chronicling her experiences was in production. Reports indicated that Amazon secured the filming rights in a deal reportedly valued at $40 million. The film was released in January and generated mixed reactions from critics and viewers alike.
Despite varied reviews, Melania expressed pride in the finished project. In an interview with CNN prior to the release, she said:
“I’m very proud of the film. People may like it, may not like it, and that’s their choice. We achieved what we wanted to achieve. For myself, it’s already successful.”
Her remarks reflected a consistent theme in her public persona — measured, reserved, and relatively detached from day-to-day political debate.
What the New Poll Shows
While President Trump has faced fluctuating approval numbers ahead of the midterm elections, many observers have questioned how voters view Melania independently of her husband.
A recent survey conducted by YouGov provides some clarity.
The poll sampled 2,255 adult U.S. citizens across two online surveys conducted February 2–5 and February 3–5, 2026. According to YouGov, the respondents were selected using a stratified sampling method based on demographic and voting data, with weighting applied to reflect factors such as age, race, education, party identification, and past voting behavior.
The results show that Melania Trump currently holds a -16 net approval rating.
How She Compares to Other First Ladies
The -16 figure places Melania slightly below Jill Biden, who polled at -9 in the same survey period. However, Melania’s rating is marginally higher than that of Hillary Clinton, who recorded a -17 rating.
Several past First Ladies scored significantly higher in the poll:
- Nancy Reagan: +25
- Lady Bird Johnson: +23
- Rosalynn Carter: +32
- Barbara Bush: +21
- Michelle Obama: +21
- Laura Bush: +19
At the top of the list was Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis, wife of John F. Kennedy, who achieved a striking +56 approval rating — the highest among those surveyed.
Partisan Divide Remains Clear
As expected in today’s polarized political climate, Melania’s support breaks sharply along party lines. The survey found that her approval rating is significantly higher among Republican voters than among Democrats, underscoring how perceptions of First Ladies — once viewed as more universally admired figures — are increasingly shaped by partisan alignment.
A Modern First Lady in a Divided Era
Melania Trump’s tenure reflects a broader shift in how Americans view the role of First Lady. Historically, the position often enjoyed bipartisan goodwill, focused on cultural initiatives, public service, and symbolic unity. In recent decades, however, public opinion about presidential spouses has become more politically divided.
Whether one views Melania as reserved and dignified or distant and disengaged often depends on broader political attitudes.
What remains clear from the data is that her public standing, while polarized, places her within the broader historical spectrum of modern First Ladies — some widely celebrated, others more controversial, all shaped by the political climates of their time.
Public opinion continues to evolve, and as her second tenure unfolds, so too will the national conversation about her role and legacy.
