Why Trump’s popularity in America is plunging even deeper

Recent opinion polls in the US in November 2025 indicate that Donald Trump’s popularity is declining among the general public in America. Multiple polls show a consistent downward trend. A recent CNN survey indicated an approval rating of 37 per cent, the lowest in history for any president at this point in a second term. Other aggregators place his approval around 41-42 per cent. Trump’s approval has dropped significantly throughout 2025, starting from 47 per cent in January and falling by around 10 percentage points by November.

The decline is not limited to Democrats or independents; approval among Republican voters has also decreased, dropping from 91 per cent at his inauguration to around 68-79 per cent in recent polls. His standing among Hispanic adults and young voters has deteriorated considerably since the start of the year, with a significant majority of these groups now disapproving of his performance. The current polling data suggests a significant shift in public opinion, with the majority of Americans expressing disapproval of his performance across a range of issues.

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A primary driver of declining approval is public frustration with the economy, specifically rising costs, inflation, and weak job growth. Many Americans are critical of his trade policies, such as sweeping tariffs, which many believe contribute to higher consumer prices for groceries and other goods. Confidence in his ability to deliver on promises of economic revival has eroded. The recent US government shutdown, which was the longest in history (October 1 to November 12, 2025), has also adversely impacted popular support for Donald Trump.

Voters’ priorities have shifted, with the economy and civil rights now considered more important issues than immigration, which was a top concern earlier in his term. This change has put pressure on Trump’s performance in areas where his approval ratings are lower. A significant number of Americans, including some independents, view his actions and rhetoric as a threat to democratic principles. His use of executive authority and defiance of congressional power have also been factors in influencing public opinion. Specific policies, such as large-scale deportation programmes and the use of detention facilities, have seen a drop in public support, particularly among Democrats and independents.

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Concerns have been raised over the tone and focus of his public appearances, with some analysts suggesting his speeches have become “darker, harsher, longer, angrier, less focused, more profane and increasingly fixated on the past”, which may alienate some voters.

All these factors have led to a net negative approval rating for Donald Trump in recent polls, surpassing previous lows and indicating widespread public dissatisfaction with various aspects of his presidency.

Recent state elections on November 4-5, 2025, in Virginia, New Jersey, New York City, and California have been widely interpreted as indicators of public dissatisfaction with President Donald Trump’s performance. Democrats achieved significant victories in these states, with outcomes such as Abigail Spanberger becoming the first woman governor in Virginia and Congresswoman Mikie Sherrill winning by a double-digit margin in New Jersey. These wins were largely seen as a “blue wave” response to the president.

Zohran Mamdani, a Democratic socialist, was also elected as the Mayor of New York City, a victory widely seen as occurring despite strong opposition from Trump. Mamdani’s campaign focused on local affordability issues such as a rent freeze for rent-stabilised apartments, free public buses, and city-run grocery stores, which resonated with working-class voters. He largely focused on these concrete issues rather than national political debates, a strategy that exit polls suggest helped him win over some voters in traditionally Trump-leaning districts. Mamdani’s victory, along with other Democratic wins in New Jersey and Virginia, was interpreted by many analysts as a significant symbolic defeat for Trump and an early indicator of voter sentiment ahead of the 2026 midterm elections.

Mamdani’s win made him the city’s first Muslim, South Asian, and youngest mayor in over a century. Trump, a native New Yorker, was a vocal opponent of Mamdani during the campaign. He repeatedly called Mamdani a “communist” and a “dangerous socialist” and threatened to withhold federal funding for New York City if Mamdani won. In an unusual move, Trump publicly endorsed Mamdani’s independent opponent, former Democratic Governor Andrew Cuomo.

Some top Republicans are voicing discontent or divergence from Donald Trump, particularly on specific policy issues and political strategy. After the November 2025 elections, some local and state-level Republicans noted that candidates were hurt by a “guilty by association” sentiment among voters who were frustrated with national politics and Trump’s influence. There are observations that some Republicans are beginning to act in ways that diverge from Trump’s wishes, suggesting his grip on the party may be weakening in certain areas, as the political cost of opposing him is seen as less severe than previously assumed.

In November 2025, several Republican senators, including Thom Tillis, Mike Crapo, and James Lankford, firmly stated they would not support Trump’s demand to eliminate the Senate filibuster, a significant public divergence from the president’s wishes. Some Republicans, such as Senator Thom Tillis, have warned that certain strategies related to the government shutdown, specifically potential cuts to healthcare subsidies and Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (Snap) benefits, could be a “political disaster” for the party. While many Republicans still align with him publicly, these instances indicate a degree of internal friction and a willingness to push back on specific issues they view as politically or practically unfeasible.

A number of officials from Donald Trump’s first administration have publicly spoken out against him, with criticisms ranging from his character and fitness for office to specific policies and actions. Mike Pence, Trump’s vice president in his first term, declined to endorse him in the 2024 election, citing “profound differences” and criticising his actions during the January 6, 2021, attack on the Capitol.

John Kelly, the retired Marine Corps general and former White House chief of staff and Homeland Security secretary, has been a vocal critic, describing Trump as a fascist who admires dictators and would rule like one if re-elected. Nikki Haley, the former US Ambassador to the United Nations and one-time primary challenger, has been critical of Trump’s actions and statements on various national and international issues. H R McMaster, the former National Security Advisor, has criticised Trump’s approach to foreign policy and his relationships with foreign leaders. Former National Security Advisor John Bolton has frequently described Trump as “stunningly uninformed”, unfit for office, and easily manipulated by foreign leaders.

Summing up, Donald Trump is losing appeal for many Americans, with his approval ratings declining significantly since the start of his second term in January 2025. While Trump is a powerful force within the Republican Party, his polarising presence is creating substantial challenges for the party in appealing to a broad enough coalition to secure consistent, nationwide victories beyond his core base.

Trump has a highly committed base of support, which is crucial for turning out voters. However, his actions and rhetoric are alienating moderate and independent voters. Recent election results indicate that Donald Trump’s performance and influence have had a challenging impact on the Republican Party, creating significant vulnerabilities in general elections.

Overall, the “Trump effect” has been divisive and unsettling to social structures and political cohesion in the United States. There is growing concern among Americans about how Trump’s presidency has intensified America’s political divide.

(The writer is a retired Indian diplomat and had previously served as Ambassador in Kuwait and Morocco and as Consul General in New York. Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely those of the author. They do not necessarily reflect Firstpost’s views.)