As we reach the 100-day mark of Donald Trump’s second term in the White House, a new CNN poll conducted by SSRS reveals that the American public is feeling a mix of frustration, disappointment, and anger towards the current state of politics. With neither major party positioned to change this mood, the approval ratings for both Republican and Democratic leaders in Congress are significantly low. The poll indicates that nearly two-thirds of Americans believe the country is heading in the wrong direction.
The increasing sentiment of fear regarding Trump's presidency is noteworthy. Many Americans are expressing doubts about whether the checks and balances established in the U.S. government are adequate to limit Trump's actions. Lisa Taylor, an independent voter from Maryland who has shifted her allegiances from Trump in 2016 to Kamala Harris in 2024, articulated her feelings in the poll: “I’m not pleased. I’m unsure. I’m honestly scared.” This sentiment resonates with about 41% of the population, reflecting a 6-point increase since February and a 12-point rise since December.
Among the Democratic and Democratic-leaning independents, the fear is even more pronounced, with 71% expressing concerns about what lies ahead during Trump's presidency—up from 63% just two months prior. In contrast, only 8% of Republicans and Republican-leaning independents share similar fears. While the GOP remains largely positive about Trump, with 55% feeling optimistic about politics in general, enthusiasm for Trump's remaining term has dipped from 44% in February to 34% today.
The poll reveals that 56% of Americans believe Congress is doing too little to check Trump’s power, and 50% feel the same about the judiciary. The Trump administration is similarly viewed as insufficient in maintaining checks and balances, with 53% of respondents expressing this concern. While most independents and Democrats agree that more action is needed, Republicans largely perceive the Trump administration and Congress as effectively balancing power. A growing sentiment—58% of respondents—now believes that the unified control of the House, Senate, and White House by Republicans is detrimental to the country, increasing from 53% in January.
Approval ratings for Republican leaders in Congress are at a concerning low, with only 37% of Americans expressing approval of their performance. House Speaker Mike Johnson and Senate Majority Leader John Thune also face unfavorable ratings, with Johnson at 23% favorable and 33% unfavorable, while Thune stands at 16% favorable and 24% unfavorable. However, the situation for Democrats is even bleaker, with approval ratings for their leaders dropping to 27%, marking a record low since 2008.
Frustration with the Democratic Party is palpable, as evidenced by comments from Gregory Victorianne, a 65-year-old Democrat from Los Angeles. He emphasized the need for Democrats to take action against Trump and communicate effectively with their constituents. The poll also reveals an even split among Americans on whether Kamala Harris would have performed better than Trump had she won the last election, with 42% favoring Trump and 41% believing Harris would have done better.
The dissatisfaction with Democratic leadership is particularly pronounced among younger voters. While 72% of Republican-aligned individuals approve of their congressional leaders, a stark 61% of Democrats disapprove of their party's leadership. Notably, Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer has lost significant support among younger voters, with only 14% of those under 35 viewing him favorably.
Anger towards politics is on the rise across the board, with 70% of Democratic-aligned adults expressing anger about national politics, a notable increase from 46% in January. Overall, about 45% of Americans report feeling angry about politics today, up from 39% earlier this year. The poll also shows that 63% of all Americans feel frustrated with the current political landscape, while 60% express disappointment—though this is a slight decline since January.
The negative sentiment transcends party lines, with a significant portion of both Democrats and Republicans feeling frustrated with the political environment. Victorianne encapsulated the desire for accountability among politicians: “We need the politicians, the Democrats themselves, who are in office, … to let us know ‘I got your back,’ instead of asking me for my wallet.”
