Trump’s Approval Rating Plummets to Second-Term Low Amid Shutdown and Election Losses
A recent Gallup poll reveals President Donald Trump’s job approval rating has reached a new low of 36%, as dissatisfaction surges to 60%. The decline, measured between November 3-25, coincides with a historic federal government shutdown and recent electoral setbacks for the Republican Party, signaling potential headwinds for the GOP heading into future elections.
The latest findings represent a five-percentage-point drop from a period of relative stability over the preceding three months, where approval hovered between 40% and 41%. While this current rating is comparable to a 37% low point recorded in July, it approaches the all-time low of 34% seen at the end of his first term following the January 6th attack on the Capitol.
The poll’s timing is significant, encompassing off-year elections that yielded gains for Democrats and unfolding as the federal government shutdown became the longest in U.S. history, ultimately resolved on November 12. This confluence of events appears to have significantly eroded public confidence in the President’s leadership.
A particularly concerning trend for the administration is the weakening support among both Republicans and independents. Republican approval has fallen seven points to 84%, while independent approval has slipped eight points to a concerning 25%. This marks the lowest level of support from independents during either of Trump’s terms, with the previous low of 29% recorded in July 2017. Meanwhile, Democratic approval remains exceptionally low, registering at just 3%.
Beyond overall approval, President Trump also faces negative ratings on a majority of specific issues. While he receives relatively positive marks on crime (43%), foreign affairs (41%), foreign trade (39%), and immigration (37%), his approval dips below his overall rating on the economy (36%), the Middle East situation (33%), the federal budget (31%), Ukraine (31%), and healthcare policy (30%). The federal budget and healthcare policy are particularly sensitive areas given their direct connection to the recent government shutdown.
Further analysis reveals a consistent erosion of approval on key issues since earlier in the year. Since February, Trump’s handling of immigration has declined by 9 points, the Middle East by 7 points, and the economy by 6 points. More substantial double-digit declines have been observed in his handling of the federal budget (-12 points) and the situation in Ukraine (-10 points) since March. Despite consistent Republican support – ranging from 67% to 88% across the nine issues – even within the party, concerns are emerging regarding his approach to Ukraine and healthcare. Independents offer approval ratings between 22% and 38%, while Democratic approval remains consistently below 8% on all issues.
The dissatisfaction extends to Congress, where approval stands at a mere 14%, unchanged from an 11-point drop in October triggered by the government shutdown. Disapproval remains overwhelmingly high at 80%. While this figure isn’t as low as the all-time low of 9% recorded after the 2013 shutdown, it highlights the deep-seated public frustration with the legislative branch. The Republican-led Congress has seen its approval among Republicans plummet from 54% in September to 23% currently, while independent approval stands at 15% and Democratic approval at a negligible 4%.
In conclusion, the prolonged government shutdown, coupled with recent election losses and ongoing economic concerns, appears to have significantly damaged President Trump’s standing with the American public, particularly among Republicans and independents. His overall job approval is at its lowest point of his second term, nearing levels seen during his first. Previously strong areas like the economy, immigration, and the federal budget are no longer sources of relative strength. The declining approval among Republicans and increasingly negative assessments from independents, combined with the recent electoral setbacks, could foreshadow challenges for the GOP in upcoming midterm elections as they strive to maintain control of the federal government.
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Explore President Trump’s approval ratings and compare them with those of past presidents in the Gallup Presidential Job Approval Center.
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