Understanding the Shifts in Donald Trump’s Approval ratings

Recent Polls Reveal a Downward Trend in Support

Throughout Donald Trump’s second term, his approval ratings have shown notable variability, with recent data pointing to a decline. A Morning Consult poll conducted from November 7 to 9, surveying 2,201 registered U.S. voters with a ±2% margin of error, found Trump’s approval at 44%, while disapproval stood at 54%. This marks one of the lowest points recorded in their weekly tracking.

Similarly, the Harvard CAPS/Harris poll from November 4 to 6 surveyed 2,000 registered voters (±1.99%) and also reported an approval rating of 44%, reflecting a low not seen since early in his second term. Although Trump’s handling of crime and immigration issues received relatively better marks compared to other areas, none of the nine key topics polled achieved majority voter endorsement for his performance.

Public Opinion on government Shutdown and Accountability

The Harvard CAPS/Harris survey further highlighted widespread dissatisfaction with the ongoing government shutdown: approximately three-quarters of respondents opposed it. When asked who was responsible for this impasse, a slight majority placed blame on Republicans rather than Democrats.

comparative Polling Highlights Persistent Challenges

A CNN/SSRS poll conducted between October 31 and November 3 showed an even lower approval rating for Trump at just 37%,marking his lowest level during this term but slightly above his first-term low of 36%. Disapproval peaked at an unprecedented high of 63%, surpassing exit polling figures from January 2021 by one percentage point.

This same survey revealed that Democrats hold only a slim five-point lead over Republicans among registered voters ahead of next year’s midterm elections-a notable decrease from their eleven-point advantage observed before the midterms in late-2017.

Diverse Public Perceptions Reflected in October Surveys

• A Washington Post-ABC News-Ipsos poll conducted late October indicated Trump had a modestly higher approval rating at around 41%. Though, nearly two-thirds (63%) perceived him as out-of-touch with everyday Americans-though even more respondents (68%) felt similarly about the Democratic party overall.
• The Economist/YouGov survey taken between October 24 and October 27 found Trump’s net approval dropped to -19 points (39% approve versus58% disapprove), matching or exceeding lows experienced during much of his first term; this was based on responses from over sixteen hundred adults nationwide with ±3.5% margin-of-error.
• Reuters/Ipsos polling near month-end showed further erosion: Trump’s job approval slipped two points to roughly forty percent while disapproval hovered near fifty-seven percent; notably more than half said government shutdowns had minimal personal impact on them directly.

Evolving voter Attitudes Over Recent Months

Between September and early October polls consistently placed Trump’s average job performance ratings near or below forty-five percent-with some variation depending on methodology:

• An Emerson College poll mid-September noted increased public support regarding Trump’s management of international conflicts such as ceasefire negotiations between Israel and Hamas-rising seventeen percentage points-but overall favorability remained under fifty percent.
• CBS/YouGov data collected earlier that month showed slight improvements (+two points) in approval alongside reduced disapproval (-two points). Yet partisan divides remained starkly evident especially concerning law enforcement deployment policies favored mainly by Republicans but widely opposed by Democrats.
• The New York Times/Siena Research Institute reported steady Republican backing (~90%), despite broader voter dissatisfaction across economic management and foreign policy where negative views outweighed positive ones substantially among independents and Democrats alike.
• A Reuters/Ipsos study revealed growing frustration toward political stalemates causing federal funding lapses; many Americans blamed Republican lawmakers more than Democrats for legislative gridlock affecting governance effectiveness rather than individual politicians alone-a sentiment echoed across multiple surveys during this period.

Contextualizing Long-Term Presidential approval Trends

Taken together across both terms so far, Donald Trump averages approximately 42% national job approval ratings-slightly higher than his first-term average near 41%. Nevertheless, these numbers fall short compared to ancient presidential averages since harry Truman according to long-term Gallup data.This underscores ongoing difficulties maintaining broad public trust amid increasingly polarized political environments intensified by recent social upheavals and economic challenges-including inflation rates fluctuating around seven percent nationally earlier this year-which continue shaping voter perceptions about executive leadership effectiveness today.*