Donald Trump has provoked record high levels of disapproval among American voters in the week after one former aide was found guilty of fraud and another admitted making hush payments to women.

Sixty percent of respondents to a new poll said they disapproved of his performance in office - the highest number of his presidency so far.

Mr Trump’s ratings have frequently proved immune to the fallout from the ongoing Russia investigation and the threat of impeachment. Many voters made up their minds about their divisive president long ago.

However, the latest Washington Post-ABC News poll, published on Friday, found that 36 percent of Americans approved of his White House performance – down from 40 percent a month ago.

It also found broad support for Robert Mueller’s investigation into Russian meddling in the election, and that almost half of those polled (49 per cent) believed that Congress should launch impeaching proceedings.