The political landscape is buzzing with significant shifts as Donald Trump’s approval rating has recently dropped to unprecedented lows across multiple major polls. With a CNN poll conducted by SSRS showing his approval at a mere 37% as of November 3, 2025, and an Economist/YouGov survey reporting 39% on October 29, 2025, it’s clear that public sentiment is trending downwards. These figures not only mark the lowest approval rating during his second term in office but also rival or even surpass some of the most challenging periods of his first non-consecutive term. This comprehensive analysis will delve into the latest data, examining the specific numbers, the driving factors behind this decline, and the potential implications for the political future.
The Latest Numbers: A Steep Descent in Approval
Recent polling data paints a clear picture of diminishing public support for Donald Trump. The CNN poll, conducted by SSRS, revealed a stark 37% approval rating, a figure that is only one point higher than his lowest approval rating of 36% during his first term. This narrow margin underscores the severity of the current decline, demonstrating that his second term is now mirroring the toughest periods of his previous presidency. Simultaneously, Trump’s disapproval rating has surged to an alarming 63%, marking the highest recorded for him across both of his non-consecutive terms. This surpasses his previous peak of 62% disapproval when he exited office in January 2021, following the January 6 Capitol riot.
Adding to this trend, an Economist/YouGov poll, published on October 29, 2025, confirmed a second-term low for Trump, indicating an approval rating of 39% with a significant 58% disapproval. This resulted in a net approval rating of -19 points, which is the lowest of his second term and lower than all but one poll in his first term. These consistent findings across reputable polls suggest a robust and widespread shift in public opinion, highlighting a significant challenge to his political standing.
Decoding the Discontent: Key Issues Driving the Decline
A deeper dive into the polling data reveals that economic frustration is a significant factor in the declining numbers. The majority of Americans, 61%, believe Trump’s policies have worsened economic conditions, a 10-point drop since March. This reflects growing dissatisfaction with economic policies, as 72% of respondents in a CNN/SSRS poll described current economic conditions as “poor” or “very poor.” While he initially held a net positive approval on economic issues at the start of his current term, nine months in, he now faces a negative net approval for his handling of the economy (-22 points) and inflation/prices (-32 points).
Beyond the economy, Trump polls negatively on nearly every major issue. Specific negative net approval ratings include: immigration (-10 points), abortion (-17 points), education (-19 points), jobs/the economy (-22 points), and climate change/environment (-22 points). These figures indicate a broad-based erosion of trust and confidence across critical policy areas, suggesting that the public perceives his administration’s performance unfavorably across a spectrum of concerns vital to daily life.
Image Placeholder: An infographic using a series of negative bar charts or a ‘thermometer’ visual, clearly listing key issues (economy, inflation, immigration, abortion, education, climate change) and their corresponding negative net approval ratings. The visual should be impactful, using red or downward-pointing arrows to emphasize the negative sentiment.
Public Reaction to Recent Actions: Scrutiny and Disapproval
Beyond policy, specific recent actions by the Trump administration have drawn significant public disapproval, further contributing to his plummeting ratings. A striking 61% of Americans disapprove of his decision to demolish the East Wing of the White House to construct a $300 million ballroom. This action, widely seen as a misuse of resources and disrespect for historical preservation, generated considerable backlash, with even 57% of white people disapproving.
Other executive decisions have also faced public outcry. Canceling trade talks with Canada, a move with significant economic implications, saw 55% disapproval. The commutation of George Santos’s sentence and the pardon of Changpeng Zhao were also met with strong public condemnation. These actions, perceived as controversial or self-serving, have collectively damaged public perception and added to the narrative of an administration out of touch with the concerns and values of the average American.
Image Placeholder: A composite image featuring stylized representations of the disapproved actions: a conceptual rendering of a new, opulent ballroom in the White House East Wing, a fractured map of North America symbolizing canceled trade talks, and subtle icons representing George Santos and Changpeng Zhao. The overall tone should convey public disapproval and controversy, perhaps with a red “X” over each element.
Shifting Demographics and Midterm Implications
The decline in Donald Trump’s approval rating is not uniform but reflects significant shifts across various demographic groups. His job approval rating among white voters has fallen to its lowest point in his second term, registering a net approval rating of -3 points (47% approve, 50% disapprove) in an Economist/YouGov survey. This erosion of support among a traditionally Republican-leaning demographic is particularly notable.
The most dramatic shifts, however, are seen among younger voters and minority groups. Approval among adults under 30 has plummeted by 30 points since February, with only 20% now approving of his job performance. His net approval rating among Gen Z is just above -50 points, and among Black Americans, it stands around -75%, marking his weakest demographic performance. These significant declines across key voter blocs, including some traditionally supportive groups, suggest a broad-based disillusionment that could have profound implications.
Looking ahead to next year’s midterms, these low approval ratings pose a substantial challenge for the Republican Party. Democrats currently hold an early advantage, with 47% of registered voters expressing intent to vote for the Democrat in their district, compared to 42% for the Republican. Crucially, 41% of adults state their vote will be a message of opposition to Trump, nearly double the 21% who say their vote will signal support. This strong “anti-Trump” sentiment could significantly hinder the GOP’s prospects in the upcoming elections, indicating that the personal brand of Donald Trump continues to be a polarizing, and for many, a decisive factor in their voting decisions.
Image Placeholder: A multi-panel chart or infographic illustrating demographic shifts in Trump’s approval ratings. One panel could show a decline among white voters, another a steep drop for adults under 30, and a third for Black Americans and Gen Z. Use vibrant, contrasting colors to highlight the changes and emphasize the severity of the decline in specific groups.
Historical Context and Polling Consistency
Presidential job approval ratings have been a staple of American political analysis since George Gallup first introduced them in 1937. They serve as a vital indicator of public sentiment, gauging the percentage of respondents who approve of a president’s performance. While individual poll results can fluctuate, the aggregate approval rating is widely accepted as a statistically valid measure of changes in the popular U.S. mood regarding a president.
Donald Trump’s presidency has been unique in several aspects concerning approval ratings. Notably, he holds the distinction of being the only president not to receive a job approval rating of 50% or higher at any point during his presidency. His personal high point during his first term was 49%, a figure he achieved on several occasions in 2020. This lack of a “honeymoon period” and inability to break the 50% barrier underscore the highly polarized nature of his support from the outset.
The consistency of the recent low approval numbers across various polling organizations lends significant weight to these findings. The Economist/YouGov poll, far from being an anomaly, is corroborated by several other polls, including Gallup and Reuters/Ipsos, which similarly show Trump faring poorly among voters. Gallup polls consistently place his approval numbers in the low 40s, and a recent Reuters/Ipsos poll showed him with a -17-point net approval rating. This broad agreement among different survey methodologies reinforces the conclusion that Donald Trump’s approval rating is indeed at a critical low point, reflecting a widespread and enduring public dissatisfaction.
Image Placeholder: A historical timeline-style graphic showing average presidential approval ratings (perhaps a simplified line graph) from past presidents, with Donald Trump’s average approval rating highlighted, distinctively remaining below the 50% mark throughout his terms. Include a small inset defining “Approval Rating.”
Conclusion: A Critical Juncture for Trump’s Public Standing
The recent decline in Donald Trump’s approval rating to new lows—37% in a CNN poll conducted by SSRS and 39% in an Economist/YouGov survey, both as of late October/early November 2025—marks a critical juncture in his political career. Not only do these figures represent the lowest approval rating during his second term, but they also highlight a record-high disapproval rating of 63%, surpassing any point in either of his non-consecutive terms. This significant erosion of public support is multifaceted, driven by widespread economic frustration, negative perceptions of his handling of key issues like immigration and inflation, and strong disapproval of specific recent actions.
Furthermore, the data reveals significant demographic shifts, with declining approval among white voters and dramatic drops among younger generations and minority groups. These trends paint a challenging picture for the Republican Party, suggesting that the negative sentiment towards Trump could heavily influence the upcoming midterm elections. As Donald Trump’s approval rating continues to plummet, the consistent polling data from organizations like Gallup and Reuters/Ipsos reinforces the conclusion that his public standing is at its weakest point yet. This sustained decline signals a profound re-evaluation by the American public, setting the stage for an intriguing and potentially tumultuous period in U.S. politics.
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