A recent CNN poll conducted by SSRS reveals that public opinion regarding President Donald Trump’s first year back in the White House is overwhelmingly negative. A significant majority of Americans believe that Trump is focused on the wrong priorities and is not doing enough to address the rising cost of living. In fact, 58% of respondents characterize the first year of Trump’s term as a failure.
This poll presents a challenging landscape for Trump and the Republican Party as they approach a crucial midterm election year. The president's handling of the economy is expected to be the pivotal issue in key House and Senate races. When asked to identify the country's top concern, Americans overwhelmingly pointed to the economy, with a nearly two-to-one preference over other issues.
The poll indicates that Trump is struggling to demonstrate effective action in addressing economic concerns. Public sentiment regarding the economic conditions has remained consistently negative for the last two years, with only about 30% of respondents rating the economy positively. Notably, pessimism regarding future economic prospects has increased; just over 40% of those surveyed expect the economy to improve within the next year, a decline from 56% just prior to Trump's inauguration.
A significant 55% of Americans believe that Trump's policies have exacerbated economic conditions, while only 32% feel they have led to improvements. Moreover, 64% of respondents indicated that Trump has not done enough to alleviate the rising prices of everyday goods. Even among Trump’s supporters, nearly half feel he should be taking more action, with 42% of Republicans, including those aligned with the Make America Great Again movement, expressing this sentiment.
Trust in Trump’s priorities is dwindling, with only 36% of Americans believing he has the right focus for the country, a drop from 45% early in his term. Furthermore, only one-third of Americans feel that Trump genuinely cares about their concerns, marking the lowest approval rating of his political career. Just 37% believe that Trump prioritizes the nation’s welfare over his personal interests, and only 32% feel he understands the everyday challenges faced by ordinary citizens.
Currently, Trump’s overall job approval rating stands at 39%, with public sentiment stagnating in the negative. His approval ratings, which hovered around 48% last February, have seen a steady decline since the first 100 days of his second term, now consistently landing in the low 40s or high 30s. This situation mirrors the challenges faced by former President Joe Biden, who also struggled to convince Americans of his commitment to economic issues.
Despite these challenges, Trump maintains strong support among his base. Nearly 90% of Republicans approve of his performance, with about half expressing strong approval. Among self-identified members of the MAGA movement, support for Trump is nearly universal. However, his approval rating among independents has plummeted to just 29%, and he holds minimal backing from Democrats. Support among Latino voters and adults under 35 has also decreased significantly, dropping from 41% to just 30% in these demographics.
While economic issues dominate public concern, the state of American democracy ranks as a significant issue, particularly among Democrats. Approximately 25% of those who disapprove of Trump cite his misuse of presidential power or his approach to American democracy as primary reasons for their discontent. A notable 58% of the public believes Trump has overstepped his authority in using presidential power, an increase from 52% earlier in his term.
Additionally, 62% of respondents feel that Trump has gone too far in attempting to change cultural institutions, and 57% believe he has overreached in cutting federal programs. The expectation that Trump’s presidency will fundamentally alter the fabric of America has also waned, with the percentage dropping from 52% to 41% since April.
In conclusion, the latest CNN poll paints a stark picture of public opinion regarding President Trump’s first year in office. As key issues like the economy and democracy weigh heavily on the minds of Americans, the challenges ahead for Trump and the Republican Party are significant as they prepare for the upcoming midterm elections.