President Trump's Approval Ratings Drop Below Historical Norms; Democrats Face Record Low Favorability

President Donald Trump's approval ratings have dropped to between 39% and 45% in national polls, with economic concerns cited as a major factor. Meanwhile, the Democratic Party is also experiencing record-low favorability, with a Fox News poll showing only 41% favorability. Both parties are focusing on economic issues, with Democrats emphasizing support for working families and Republicans proposing tax cuts on overtime pay. Despite low favorability, Democrats lead in generic congressional ballot polls for the 2026 midterms, highlighting a volatile political environment.

Trump's Approval Ratings Slide Nationally and Among Key Demographics

Multiple national surveys conducted in late April and early May 2025 show President Trump’s approval rating hovering between 39% and 45%, a sharp drop from the 56% he enjoyed upon returning to office in January. The Washington Post-ABC News-Ipsos poll places his approval at 39%, while CNN/SSRS and NBC News polls report 41% and 45%, respectively. The Economist/YouGov poll shows a net approval of -10, with 42% approving and 52% disapproving of his job performance Trump's approval rating in every US state revealed.

The decline is particularly steep among disengaged voters. According to YouGov data analyzed by political analyst G. Elliott Morris, Trump’s net approval among Americans who consume little to no news dropped 33 points in just three months—from +12 in January to -21 in April What do disengaged voters think about Trump?.

State-level data reveals a more nuanced picture. Trump maintains strong support in conservative strongholds like Alabama (62%) and Arkansas (61%), but his approval is underwater in key battlegrounds and blue states, such as California (33%) and New York (35%) Trump's approval rating in every US state revealed.

Economic concerns are a major driver of the president’s declining numbers. A Morning Consult survey found that 53% of voters now attribute current economic conditions to Trump’s policies, up from 39% in February. His handling of the economy, once a strength, has become a liability, with approval on the issue falling to 39%—matching the lowest point of his first term Trump, Biden, and the economy: Who gets the blame?.

Democrats Face Record-Low Favorability and Internal Discontent

While Trump’s approval is falling, the Democratic Party is also experiencing historic lows in public opinion. A Fox News poll conducted April 18–21 found the party’s favorability at just 41%, with 56% viewing it unfavorably—the worst showing for Democrats in over a decade. For the first time in years, the GOP (44% favorable) edged out Democrats in overall favorability President Trump's approval ratings slide, Democrats' poll numbers hitting new lows.

Other surveys confirm the trend. Pew Research reported a 38% favorable rating for Democrats in early April, while a Wall Street Journal poll placed it even lower at 36%. Confidence in Democratic congressional leadership has also plummeted, with a Gallup poll showing only 25% of Americans expressing confidence—down from 34% in 2023.

The party’s struggles are not limited to the general electorate. Among self-identified Democrats, favorability dropped 10 points from 87% last summer to 77% in April, suggesting internal dissatisfaction. The Harvard Youth Poll found that approval among voters aged 18–29, a traditionally Democratic-leaning group, has also nosedived.

Party Leaders Emphasize Support for Working Americans

In response to these challenges, Democratic leaders are attempting to reframe their message around economic justice and support for working families. Democratic National Committee Chair Ken Martin stated in a recent interview that the party’s focus is “squarely on making sure that we stand up for hardworking Americans who are being left behind in this Trump economy” President Trump's approval ratings slide, Democrats' poll numbers hitting new lows.

Former Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg echoed this sentiment in an MSNBC interview, warning that a return to the pre-Trump status quo would be “substantively wrong” and politically ineffective. He emphasized the need for Democrats to clearly articulate how their policies on taxes, wages, and health care would improve everyday life for Americans. “We have to make very clear to everybody how your everyday life is different if we’re in charge compared to if they’re in charge,” Buttigieg said Buttigieg warns Democrats against returning to the past.

Competing Economic Visions: Tax Relief and Social Safety Nets

The policy divide between the two parties is becoming increasingly pronounced. Republicans, led by President Trump and Senate allies, are pushing legislation to cut taxes on overtime pay. The Overtime Wages Tax Relief Act, introduced by Senators Roger Marshall (R-Kan.) and Tommy Tuberville (R-Ala.), would allow workers to deduct up to $10,000 in overtime income from their taxable earnings. The bill is backed by the Teamsters Union and touted as a fulfillment of Trump’s campaign promise to “put American workers first” GOP senators unveil legislation to cut taxes on overtime pay.

“This bill will help make it happen, especially when more workers are electing for more overtime to ensure they can make ends meet,” said Sen. Marshall. “Workers, union and nonunion alike, should not be taxed for their initiative and extra labor.”

Democrats, meanwhile, are seeking to protect social safety net programs from cuts. House Democratic leaders are preparing to force a vote to block reductions to Medicaid and food assistance programs, which they argue are being targeted to offset the cost of Trump’s tax cuts US House Democrats aim to force vote blocking cuts to Medicaid, food aid.

Voter Sentiment and the Road Ahead

Despite their low favorability, Democrats may still hold an edge in upcoming elections. The latest Fox News poll shows that if the 2026 midterms were held today, 49% of voters would support a generic Democratic candidate in their congressional district, compared to 42% for a generic Republican. Democratic pollster Chris Anderson noted that the GOP’s higher favorability is largely due to Democrats feeling less favorable toward their own party, rather than a surge in Republican support.

Still, the data underscores a volatile political environment. Both parties are under pressure to reconnect with voters, particularly working-class Americans who feel left behind. As the 2026 midterms approach, the battle over economic messaging, tax policy, and health care will likely define the political landscape.

References

• Trump's Approval Rating In Every US State Revealed | 97.5 WAMZ
• What do disengaged voters think about Trump now?
• Most Voters Say Donald Trump Is Responsible For the Economy
• President Trump's approval ratings slide, but Democrats' poll numbers hitting new lows
• Buttigieg warns Democrats returning to past status quo would fail
• GOP senators unveil legislation to cut taxes on overtime pay in line with Trump’s campaign promise
• US House Democrats aim to force vote blocking cuts to Medicaid, food aid, sources say