WASHINGTON (AP) — The latest AP-NORC poll reveals a notable drop in President Donald Trump’s approval ratings concerning his management of the government, with a significant portion of the discontent stemming from within his own party. This decline comes amid the backdrop of recent political events and ongoing government challenges.
The poll, conducted by The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research, was taken after the Democrats’ recent wins in off-year elections but before Congress moved to address the longest shutdown in U.S. history. According to the survey, only 33% of U.S. adults approve of Trump’s government management, a decline from 43% reported in an earlier March poll.
This decrease is largely attributed to a shift in sentiment among Republicans and independents. As per the latest figures, only about 68% of Republicans express approval of Trump’s government management, down from 81% in March. Among independents, approval fell from 38% to 25%.
Discontent among Republican Supporters
The ongoing government shutdown presents significant risks as both parties receive blame from the public. The shutdown has disrupted air traffic, delayed federal worker paychecks, and affected food aid programs. The survey results suggest a broader dissatisfaction with Trump’s recent governmental changes, including agency restructuring and mass layoffs.
Beverly Lucas, a Republican from Florida, expressed her concerns: “I’m thoroughly disturbed by the government shutdown for 40-something days,” comparing Trump’s leadership to “having a petulant child in the White House, with unmitigated power.”
Lucas also criticized Trump’s actions during the shutdown, pointing to a party held at Mar-a-Lago, describing it as “callous” given the circumstances.
Democrats largely maintain their disapproval, with 95% expressing dissatisfaction, up from 89% in March.
Stable Overall Presidential Approval
Despite the decline in approval for managing the government, Trump’s overall approval rating has remained relatively stable, with 36% of U.S. adults approving of his overall presidential performance, aligning closely with October’s 37% figure. Key issues such as immigration and the economy have seen little change in approval ratings.
Health care remains a contentious issue during the shutdown, with Democrats pushing for negotiations to extend expiring tax credits. Trump’s approval in health care management remains low, with 34% approval in November, a slight increase from October’s 31%.
Susan McDuffie, a Republican supporter from Nevada, retains confidence in Trump, attributing the shutdown’s negative impacts to Democratic actions. She expressed disbelief at the Democrats’ priorities and expressed her continued support for Trump.
Blame Shared Across Parties
In the ongoing shutdown, blame is shared across political lines. Polls show Republicans receiving slightly more blame, but Democrats are also held accountable by the public.
Nora Bailey from Arkansas, who does not affiliate with either party, believes both parties share responsibility: “I truly do believe it’s everybody. Everybody is being stubborn.”
Bailey, a new mother, has experienced delays in accessing government aid, such as a breast pump, while her son was in intensive care. This, combined with concerns for her parents relying on SNAP benefits, has left her critical of Trump’s approach to government management.
While it’s possible Trump’s approval concerning government management may recover if the shutdown ends, the lasting impact on his presidency remains uncertain.
Lucas concluded with a critique of the shutdown’s impact on critical services: “Air traffic controllers? Really? You want to not pay the people in whose hands your lives are every day?” advocating for more intelligent conflict resolution.
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The AP-NORC poll surveyed 1,143 adults from Nov. 6-10, with a margin of error of plus or minus 3.8 percentage points.
