- YouGov Q3 2025 rankings show Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez rising to 6th with 43% positive, while Donald Trump falls to 13th with 35% positive.
- Ocasio-Cortez’s fame and rising favorability (up seven points) reflect growing influence among younger voters and progressives.
- Trump’s declining favorability and rising disapproval signal vulnerabilities, especially among independents and younger demographics ahead of 2026–2028 contests.
In a surprising twist in American politics, President Donald Trump has slipped below Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.) in the latest YouGov rankings of the most popular U.S. politicians.
The poll, which tracks public opinion on key figures, places Trump at 13th overall, while Ocasio-Cortez climbs to sixth place—highlighting a notable shift in how Americans view these polarizing leaders.
This development comes amid broader challenges for the Trump administration, including fluctuating approval ratings in other surveys.
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As the 2026 midterms loom, these numbers could signal evolving voter sentiments across party lines.
According to the most recent YouGov data for Q3 2025, Ocasio-Cortez enjoys a positive opinion from 43% of Americans, tying her with figures like former President Joe Biden but propelling her higher in the overall list due to her rising fame.
Trump, on the other hand, garners positive views from just 35% of respondents, marking a two-point drop from the previous quarter.
Here’s a snapshot of the top rankings based on positive opinion percentages:
| Rank | Politician | Fame % | Positive Opinion % |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Barack Obama | 98% | 55% |
| 2 | Arnold Schwarzenegger | 96% | 54% |
| 3 | Bernie Sanders | 93% | 48% |
| 4 | Kamala Harris | 95% | 47% |
| 5 | Joe Biden | 98% | 43% |
| 6 | Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez | 80% | 43% |
| … | … | … | … |
| 13 | Donald Trump | N/A | 35% |
(Note: Full list truncated; data weighted to represent U.S. demographics. Trump’s exact fame percentage wasn’t specified in the latest release, but his position reflects broader trends.)
Compared to the end of Q2 2025, Trump has actually climbed four spots from 17th place, but his overall favorability has declined.
Ocasio-Cortez, meanwhile, has leaped 12 positions from 18th, with her positive rating jumping seven points—a testament to her growing influence among younger voters and progressives.
This isn’t an isolated dip for Trump.
A separate Echelon Insights survey from September 18-22, 2025, showed his disapproval rating rising to 53% (up from 51% in August), with approval at 45%—resulting in a four-point net drop.
Other polls, like those from Economist/YouGov, have tracked similar declines, with Trump’s approval hovering around 39–41% in recent weeks.
Why This Shift Matters in Today’s Political Landscape
Ocasio-Cortez, often called AOC, has solidified her role as a leading voice in the Democratic Party since her 2018 primary upset.
Embracing democratic socialism, she’s faced criticism from moderates and Republicans alike but has built a massive following through social media and high-profile rallies with allies like Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.).
These events have drawn crowds even in conservative areas, boosting her national profile.
Trump’s slide, conversely, aligns with ongoing policy debates and media scrutiny.
As Mark Shanahan, an American politics expert at the University of Surrey, explained:
“We’re in an age where politics has become celebritized and politicians are ranked on their media image rather than their effectiveness in delivering policy. Trump is the ultimate rankings president – a highly performative delivery of massive inconsistency driven by whatever’s featured in the last news cycle. He remains hugely recognizable and his core MAGA vote is hard-welded to him whatever he does. But his policies are divisive and aren’t delivering up to the promise levels set during his 2024 campaign yet, so it’s not a surprise he has drifted a little.”
Shanahan added on Ocasio-Cortez:
“AOC is smart and an excellent media player. But she’s in a legislative minority so can’t be held to account in the same way Republicans currently can. She’s gaining plenty of publicity at present, but that needs to be turned into a policy portfolio the public outside her District can buy into if she is thinking of running for national office in 2028.”
Voices from the Key Players
The two figures have traded barbs in the past.
In a September 2025 Fox News interview, Trump commented on Ocasio-Cortez: “Her philosophy’s so bad; she’s got a little spunk. She’s got a little something that’s good.”
Ocasio-Cortez fired back during a CNN town hall last week: “Trump believes that if you don’t vote for him, he doesn’t have to be your leader. That if you didn’t vote for him, that you don’t deserve good things to happen to you.”
These exchanges underscore the deep divides in U.S. politics, where personal brands often eclipse policy debates.
Looking Ahead: Implications for 2028 and Beyond
Ocasio-Cortez’s trajectory remains a hot topic, with speculation about a potential 2028 presidential run.
While she hasn’t announced any plans—most candidates wait until after midterms—these rankings could fuel her ambitions.
A Reddit discussion on recent YouGov data even suggested she’s a top contender among Democrats for 2028, potentially boosting her appeal further.
For Trump, reversing this trend may depend on delivering on key promises amid economic pressures and international challenges.
Recent polls show his favorability particularly waning among independents and younger demographics, areas where Ocasio-Cortez excels.
As the political landscape evolves, these popularity metrics serve as a barometer for voter engagement.
Whether this is a temporary blip or a lasting realignment, only time—and future polls—will tell.
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