A new wave of national polling has landed, and it paints a far harsher picture of President Donald Trump’s standing with the American public than anything his administration has been willing to acknowledge. Behind the confident speeches and online declarations of strength, the numbers tell a different story—one of slipping confidence, growing frustration, and an electorate that feels the country is veering off course.
The latest CNN/SSRS poll, conducted October 27–30 among 1,245 adults nationwide, shows Trump’s approval rating falling to 37%. Back in February, it was 47%. In less than a year, he’s lost ten points—putting him near the lowest approval level of his entire presidency. The poll also shows 63% of Americans disapprove of his performance, a sharp sign of the widening gap between the White House’s messaging and the public’s lived reality.
What’s driving the frustration? The answer comes through loud and clear: the economy. Even as Trump insists the country is on the “right track,” 68% of respondents say the nation is doing “pretty badly” or “very badly.” Rising prices, relentless cost-of-living increases, and household budgets stretched to the breaking point are fueling the dissatisfaction.
When asked to name the most significant issue facing the country, nearly half—47%—pointed directly at economic concerns. Groceries, rent, gas, utilities, medical bills—everything costs more, and Americans aren’t buying the narrative that the economy is strong. Another 26% listed concerns about the health of U.S. democracy as their biggest worry, citing the nation’s political climate, ongoing legal battles, rising partisanship, and fears that democratic norms are being eroded. Meanwhile, only 10% chose immigration as their top issue, even though Trump routinely places it at the center of his speeches and policy demands. The disconnect between the administration’s priorities and the public’s concerns is widening.
When the poll asked whether Trump’s policies are helping or hurting, the results were just as stark. A full 61% of respondents say his policies have made economic conditions worse. More than half—56%—believe he has weakened America’s global reputation. This tracks with increased worries about how he uses presidential authority: 61% say Trump has “gone too far” in exercising his power, citing executive orders, controversial crackdowns, and aggressive legal strategies that many see as exceeding normal presidential limits.
These opinions aren’t isolated—they’re bleeding directly into voter behavior. With midterm elections approaching, 41% of voters say they plan to cast their vote specifically to oppose Trump. Only 21% say their vote will be an expression of support for him. That two-to-one ratio is a brutal sign of the shifting political landscape. Even among voters who may not love Trump’s opponents, many seem motivated primarily by a desire to rein in his influence.
And yet, Trump rejects the data outright. He took to Truth Social shortly after the poll was released, declaring the results “Fake Polls” and insisting that his support is “stronger than ever.” He has made this claim for years, often dismissing unfavorable polling as biased or deliberately distorted. But this time, the reaction online suggests people aren’t so quick to believe him. The economic strain is too real. The political chaos is too visible. The cracks are showing, and many voters feel them every day.
Still, polls are snapshots, not crystal balls. Public opinion can shift—especially in volatile political seasons. Economic indicators could improve. International tensions might ease. Political narratives can change rapidly, and Trump has a long history of defying predictions. But the current data reveals something deeper than a bad news cycle: a population that feels worn down, financially strained, and increasingly uneasy about where the country is headed.
If Trump wants to rebuild trust before the midterms, he’ll have to confront economic frustration head-on rather than dismissing it. Americans aren’t responding to slogans anymore—they’re responding to empty wallets and rising uncertainty. Whether or not he chooses to acknowledge that reality will determine whether this downturn in support is temporary… or the beginning of a long-term collapse in confidence.
For now, the message from the public is blunt: the country isn’t working the way it should, and they’re holding Trump accountable for it. The next few months will reveal whether he can regain momentum—or whether voters have already made up their minds.