A new national poll paints a much harsher picture of President Donald Trump’s standing than his team has been willing to admit. Behind the confident speeches and online claims of strength, the numbers show slipping public confidence, rising frustration, and an electorate worried that the country is off course.
The CNN/SSRS poll, conducted October 27–30 with 1,245 adults nationwide, shows Trump’s approval rating has fallen to 37%. Back in February, it was 47%. In less than a year, he’s lost ten points, bringing him near the lowest approval level of his presidency. Meanwhile, 63% of Americans disapprove of his performance, highlighting the growing gap between the White House’s message and public perception.
The main driver of this frustration is the economy. While Trump says the country is on the “right track,” 68% of respondents say the nation is doing “pretty badly” or “very badly.” Rising prices, high living costs, and strained household budgets are fueling dissatisfaction.
When asked about the country’s biggest issue, 47% pointed to economic concerns—groceries, rent, gas, utilities, and medical bills. Another 26% cited worries about U.S. democracy, including political polarization, ongoing legal battles, and threats to democratic norms. Only 10% named immigration as the top issue, even though Trump frequently emphasizes it. This shows a widening disconnect between the administration’s priorities and public concerns.
The poll also asked whether Trump’s policies are helping or hurting. A majority—61%—say his policies have worsened economic conditions, and 56% believe he has weakened America’s global reputation. Many respondents also feel he has overstepped his authority: 61% say he has “gone too far” with executive orders, aggressive legal strategies, and crackdowns seen as exceeding presidential limits.
These opinions are affecting voter behavior. With midterm elections approaching, 41% of voters plan to cast their ballots specifically to oppose Trump, while only 21% will vote in support of him. That two-to-one ratio signals a significant shift in the political landscape.
Trump, however, rejects the data. He called the poll “Fake Polls” on Truth Social and insists his support is “stronger than ever.” While he has dismissed unfavorable polling before, this time the online reaction suggests people are less convinced. Economic strain is real, political chaos is visible, and many voters feel it in their daily lives.
Polls are snapshots, not predictions. Opinions can change, economies can improve, and political narratives can shift. Trump has a history of defying expectations. But this data points to a deeper issue: a population that feels financially strained and uncertain about the country’s direction.
If Trump wants to regain trust before the midterms, he must address economic concerns directly. Slogans no longer resonate—Americans respond to rising costs and uncertainty. Whether he faces this reality or ignores it could determine if this drop in support is temporary or the start of a longer decline.
For now, the public message is clear: the country isn’t functioning as it should, and they hold Trump accountable. The coming months will show whether he can recover—or whether voters have already made up their minds.