Melania Trump Poll: Second Least Popular First Lady in New YouGov Ranking
A new national poll confirms what many political observers have been saying: Melania Trump is now one of the least popular first ladies in recent U.S. history — ranking second-from-the-bottom among 11 peers.
The poll’s findings raise fresh questions about the public’s perception of Melania Trump’s role and visibility more than a year into her second stint as first lady. It suggests a widening gap between ceremonial expectations and actual public sentiment.
According to YouGov’s survey of 2,255 U.S. adults conducted Feb. 2–5, respondents were asked to rate 11 first ladies on a scale from “outstanding” to “poor.” Melania Trump’s net rating was –16, the second lowest in the group.
Only former first lady Hillary Clinton scored lower, at –17 net, despite leaving office decades ago and having broader political history beyond the first lady role.
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What’s more, 36% of Americans rated Melania Trump as “poor” and another 10% “below average.”
“It’s clear that many Americans see the role of first lady through the same political lens that defines modern presidencies,” said one analyst.
Those perceptions appear linked in part to the rising prominence of figures like Jackie Kennedy and Rosalynn Carter, who topped the poll with net ratings of +56 and +32, respectively.
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The ranking comes amid broader scrutiny of public figures and political spouses, and follows recent reports of declining media treatment perceptions from some Republican survey segments.
What happens next: The first lady’s team has signaled plans for 2026 engagement initiatives, which could shift perceptions ahead of future polls.
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