As govt shutdown bite deepens, most Americans now blaming Trump, Republicans in poll

As the US government shutdown now passed one month, a growing number of Americans are turning their frustration toward President Donald Trump and the Republican Party, whom they increasingly see as responsible for the deepening crisis that has halted federal operations and threatened millions of households.

A new Washington Post–ABC News poll shows that 56% of Americans now blame Trump and congressional Republicans for the ongoing stalemate, compared with 34% who hold Democrats primarily accountable. The findings highlight a shifting political tide as the shutdown drags on, eroding public patience and testing the administration’s resilience amid growing economic strain.

Public anger intensifies amid economic anxiety

The poll signals a major shift from earlier surveys conducted in the first weeks of the shutdown, when opinion was more evenly divided. Now, a majority of independents, a key voting bloc have joined Democrats in faulting Trump and the GOP for the impasse. Only 12% of independents primarily blame Democrats.

The prolonged shutdown has forced tens of thousands of federal workers to go unpaid, stalled public services, and delayed crucial programs such as the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), which supports more than 40 million low-income Americans. Economists estimate that if the shutdown continues through November, it could shave up to 0.3 percentage points off US GDP growth this quarter, a serious blow to an already fragile post-pandemic recovery.

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According to the survey, more than two-thirds of Americans say the shutdown is hurting the economy, while nearly half report feeling direct or indirect financial impacts. Among those most affected are military families, small business owners dependent on federal contracts, and recipients of housing and food assistance.

Republicans face political backlash

The political fallout is deepening within the GOP itself. Republican lawmakers, some of whom have privately urged Trump to seek a compromise now face mounting public criticism. The poll found that nearly six in ten Americans disapprove of how Republicans in Congress have handled the situation, compared with 49% disapproval for Democrats.

Even among Republicans, frustration is rising. A quarter of self-identified Republican voters said they disapproved of how the party is managing the shutdown, a notable uptick from earlier in the month. Analysts say the split underscores tensions between Trump loyalists and establishment Republicans worried about the party’s long-term image.

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Political strategist Maria Cardona told The Hill that “the longer this goes on, the harder it will be for Trump to control the narrative. Americans are seeing the pain in their daily lives at the grocery store, at work, in their communities and they know who’s in charge.”

A test of Trump’s political instincts

For Trump, the shutdown represents both a political gamble and a test of his governing style. The president has framed the standoff as a fight against “wasteful spending” and “Democratic obstruction,” insisting that fiscal discipline is necessary to secure the nation’s long-term financial health.

But critics argue the administration has manufactured a crisis to project strength ahead of the 2026 midterms. Democratic leaders say Trump’s refusal to approve a bipartisan spending bill which passed the Senate before the shutdown reflects political brinkmanship rather than fiscal prudence.

“The president’s idea of negotiation is ultimatums,” Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer said Thursday. “Meanwhile, Americans are paying the price for his political theater.”

Growing fears of prolonged disruption

The human impact of the shutdown continues to widen. Delays in food assistance and federal payments have strained households already grappling with inflation. In some states, food banks report a surge in demand. Air travel, immigration courts and national parks have also been affected as thousands of federal employees remain furloughed.

Anxiety is rising over whether a resolution is near. Negotiations between congressional leaders and the White House remain stalled, with both sides accusing the other of intransigence. Treasury officials have warned that a prolonged shutdown could ripple through financial markets, undermining consumer confidence just as the holiday season approaches.

A warning for Republicans ahead of 2026

Political observers say the poll’s findings could have far-reaching implications for Trump and the GOP as they head toward the 2026 midterm elections. The perception that Republicans are chiefly responsible for government dysfunction may hurt their standing in swing districts and among suburban voters, who were pivotal in recent electoral outcomes.

“If this continues another few weeks, the political cost will be devastating,” Larry Sabato, director of the University of Virginia Center for Politics was quoted by ABC news as saying. “Voters have short memories but not when it comes to empty pay checks  and empty grocery shelves.”

While Trump remains defiant, vowing not to “cave to pressure”, the growing public backlash may soon test even his political durability. As the shutdown grinds past its fifth week with no end in sight, the question is no longer just who is to blame but how much damage has already been done.

With inputs from agencies