Americans may not agree on much these days, but according to Gallup, they have managed to settle on one thing. If you are looking for the least disliked politician in the country, the title currently belongs to Secretary of State Marco Rubio. Yes, that Marco Rubio, now serving in President Trump’s administration and somehow managing to rise to the top of a very low bar.
According to a recent Gallup survey, Marco Rubio is viewed favorably by about 41 percent of Americans. In an era where political approval ratings resemble failed pop quizzes, that is enough to make him the most popular actual politician in the United States. The only figure who scores higher is Jerome Powell at 44 percent, and he is technically not a politician, despite acting like one often enough.
Gallup’s broader findings paint a bleak picture for the entire political class. Approval ratings across both parties are underwater, sometimes dramatically so. President Trump sits at a steady 36 percent approval overall, with a predictable breakdown, overwhelming support from Republicans, lukewarm backing from independents, and near-total rejection from Democrats. That number has not moved much, which in today’s political climate almost counts as stability.
What really jumps out is how miserable everyone else’s numbers are. Senate Republican Leader John Thune checks in at 34 percent, while Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer limps along at 28 percent. Even among Democrats, Schumer is struggling, with more than half of his own party disapproving of his performance. That is not exactly a ringing endorsement.
🚨New: Polling finds Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Vice President JD Vance as two of the most popular political leaders in the U.S. pic.twitter.com/myjZXJqRvl
— The Calvin Coolidge Project (@TheCalvinCooli1) December 26, 2025
The rest of Washington is stuck in the mid-to-high 30s. Speaker Mike Johnson, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, Attorney General Pam Bondi, Vice President JD Vance, and a whole lineup of Cabinet officials and congressional leaders are all swimming in the same pool of voter frustration. No one cracks a majority. Not even close.
Rubio’s relative success likely comes from being competent, low-drama, and focused on foreign policy while others scream at each other on cable news. He has also avoided the personality cult theatrics that turn off independents, while still earning strong support from Republicans. That combination is apparently rare enough to stand out.
It is no surprise that Rubio was President Trump’s runner-up for vice president and remains a fixture in future presidential speculation. He has even publicly signaled he would step aside if Vice President Vance runs in 2028, though insiders continue to float the idea of a Vance-Rubio ticket.
If that happens, Republicans could be looking at a pairing that blends populist energy with policy discipline. Given the current state of American politics, that might be about as good as it gets.
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