Public confidence in President Donald Trump has slipped into one of its most vulnerable periods since his return to office. A new CNN/SSRS poll shows his approval rating dropping to 37%, down sharply from 47% earlier in the year, with 63% now disapproving of his performance. The frustration spans across party lines, suggesting a broader national unease rather than a partisan shift.
Americans overwhelmingly feel the country is headed in the wrong direction. Nearly seven in ten say the nation is doing “pretty badly” or “very badly,” with the rising cost of living standing out as the top concern. Many others point to threats to democracy as the country’s most urgent issue. Notably, immigration — once Trump’s signature talking point — is now a priority for only a small fraction of respondents.
The poll also reflects growing doubts about Trump’s leadership. A majority believe his policies have harmed the economy, and more than half say his foreign policy has weakened America’s global standing. Six in ten feel he is overstepping the bounds of presidential authority, raising alarms about the broader direction of his governance.
These views carry electoral consequences. Only 21% of voters say they plan to support Trump in the upcoming midterms, while 41% say they will vote specifically to oppose him. Trump has dismissed the results as biased, but even some supporters acknowledge the discontent is spreading. Whether this moment is a temporary dip or a lasting shift will depend on what happens next — economically, politically, and culturally — in a country growing increasingly weary of turmoil.
