What is Donald Trump’s approval rating, how does the Gallup poll work and how does Trump compare to previous Presidents?

DONALD Trump's leadership style is captured by his belief - "if it weren't for social media I wouldn't be President".

The President favours online platforms because he can freely make public statements when people "say things" or put out "fake news" about him. But has his ability to instantly tweet outlandish claims affected his approval rating?

What is Donald Trump's approval rating?

The Republican achieved one of the most improbable political victories in modern US history in 2016 – despite a series of controversies that would easily have destroyed other candidacies, including ‘locker room banter’ about sexual assault and mocking a reporter with disabilities.

He pledged to unite America after his shock election as president after the most divisive campaign in US political history.

But the latest Gallup poll finds 58 per cent of adults disapprove of the job Trump is carrying out as President, while 42 per cent approved his work.

How does the Gallup poll work?

Gallup Daily consists of two surveys - the US Daily and the Gallup-Sharecare Well-Being Index.

The US Daily poll tracks American's perceptions of political and economic issues that affect their lives, while the well-being index aims to provide a real-time view of American's perceptions of their lives.

The presidential approval rating is calculated from the US Daily, which surveys around 500 adults, 18 and older, each day via phone.

The results are weighted to correct for unequal selection probability and match its final samples in accordance with the US population so results are fair.

How does Trump's approval rating compare to other Presidents?

Trump has reached his 334th day in office. At the same point in Barack Obama's career, Trump's predecessor enjoyed a 50 per cent approval rating, according to Gallup.

George W. Bush was doing a lot better than both of his successor's at the same point in time, as 86 per cent of Americans approved of his work.

But Trump's decline in approval, appears normal, even though its at a lower point.

He took office with a historically low approval of 45 per cent, so this has only declined 10 per cent.