As Donald Trump began his second term in Jan. 2025, he enjoyed broad-based support. More than half of all Americans approved of his presidency, while only 44% disapproved, a figure significantly lower than the 48% who had voted for Kamala Harris. Post-election surveys confirmed that large numbers of Hispanics, young adults, and independents had rallied to his cause, suggesting that a structural alignment in American politics might be underway.
Today, the picture looks different. Approval of Trump’s presidency has fallen by 8 points, to 42.4%, while disapproval has risen by 10 points, to 54.9%. The decline seems to be accelerating; nearly half of this 12-point approval gap has opened up just since mid-October. Moreover, the groups that shifted toward Trump during the 2024 election―especially Hispanics, independents, and young adults―are expressing their disappointment with his performance.