Public confidence in President Donald Trump’s management of the federal government has fallen sharply ten months into his first term, according to a new poll by the Associated Press and the NORC Centre for Public Affairs Research. Only 33 per cent of respondents said they approved of his handling of the government — a notable ten-point drop compared with March. The decline comes less than a year before the crucial midterm elections, in which both parties will battle for control of Congress.
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The survey, conducted between 6 and 10 November and involving 1,143 adults, revealed that Republican support for Trump has weakened amid what became the longest government shutdown in US history. Approval among self-identified Republicans fell from 81 per cent in March to 68 per cent. Independent voters also reported a significant shift, with approval for Trump’s management dropping from 38 per cent to just 25 per cent. These trends suggest potentially challenging months ahead for the Republican Party as it seeks to retain majorities in both chambers of Congress.
Despite the steep fall in views of his management, Trump’s overall approval rating has remained low but relatively stable at 36 per cent, only one point down from the previous month. His approval on economic matters sits at 33 per cent, with 67 per cent disapproving — a rise of five points. Many voters have criticised his so-called “Liberation Day” reciprocal tariffs, which have pushed up the prices of everyday goods. Democrats, meanwhile, have campaigned heavily on affordability and cost-of-living concerns, though Trump has dismissed their messaging as political theatre.
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Americans also remain divided over Trump’s handling of healthcare and immigration. While approval for his approach to healthcare has increased slightly from 31 to 34 per cent, concerns persist over the potential expiry of Covid-era subsidies that help 24 million Americans afford insurance. On immigration, public sentiment has deteriorated further; approval has fallen from 49 to 42 per cent since March, with disapproval rising to 57 per cent. These shifts highlight the growing unease among voters as the administration moves into a pivotal election year.
