Public sentiment toward President Donald Trump has turned decisively negative during his first year back in the White House, according to a new national survey conducted by CNN in partnership with SSRS. The poll paints a bleak picture for the president and the Republican Party as they head into a crucial midterm election cycle, with most Americans saying Trump is prioritizing the wrong issues and failing to address rising living costs.
According to the survey, 58 percent of Americans describe Trump’s first year of his second term as a failure. The findings show little positive momentum for the administration, particularly on the economy, which voters overwhelmingly identify as the nation’s most pressing concern.
Economy Dominates Voter Concerns
When asked to name the country’s top issue, respondents chose the economy by nearly a two-to-one margin over any other topic. Yet the poll suggests Trump has struggled to convince the public that his policies are improving economic conditions.
Views of the current economy remain largely unchanged from recent years, with only about three in ten Americans rating conditions as good. What has shifted sharply, however, is optimism about the future. Just over 40 percent now expect the economy to be in good shape a year from now, down from 56 percent recorded just before Trump was sworn in last January.
A majority of respondents, 55 percent, say Trump’s policies have made economic conditions worse, while only 32 percent believe they have led to improvement. Nearly two-thirds of Americans say the president has not done enough to reduce the prices of everyday goods, highlighting the political risk posed by persistent inflation and cost-of-living pressures.
Notably, dissatisfaction extends into Trump’s own party. About 42 percent of Republicans and Republican-leaning voters who identify with the Make America Great Again movement say the president should be doing more to address prices, signaling unease even within his core base.
Questions Over Priorities and Empathy
The poll also points to a growing perception that Trump is disconnected from the concerns of ordinary Americans. Just 36 percent now say he has the right priorities, down from 45 percent near the beginning of his term. Only one-third believe he cares about people like them, marking the lowest such rating of his political career.
Only 37 percent of Americans say Trump puts the good of the country above his personal interests, and just 32 percent feel he understands the everyday problems faced by citizens. Even among those who approve of his presidency overall, more than a quarter say he is out of touch with their daily struggles.
“Even if he is doing some good in areas, he comes across very self-seeking and shows a lack of caring about the common good of our citizens,” wrote one independent voter from Oklahoma who participated in the survey.
Concerns about leadership capacity also persist. Fewer than half of respondents say Trump has the stamina and sharpness to serve effectively, and only 35 percent say they are proud to have him as president.
Strong Base, Limited Broader Appeal
Trump’s overall job approval rating stands at 39 percent, with views of his presidency largely stuck in negative territory. While his approval hovered around 48 percent early in his return to office, it fell sharply within the first 100 days and has remained in the high 30s to low 40s since.
The poll reveals a familiar pattern: Trump retains strong loyalty among Republicans but struggles to expand his appeal beyond that base. Nearly nine in ten Republicans approve of his performance, and support among self-identified MAGA voters is nearly universal.
“He’s not perfect, but he’s actually getting results in what he’s doing,” wrote a Republican respondent from Tennessee.
Outside that base, however, support is thin. Trump’s approval among independents is just 29 percent, and he draws almost no backing from Democrats. Approval has also declined among younger adults and Latino voters, with only 30 percent of each group expressing support, down significantly from earlier in his term.
No Clear Signature Issue
During his first presidency, Trump’s approval on economic management often exceeded his overall ratings. Early in his second term, immigration briefly emerged as a relative strength and remains a key motivator for supporters. Among those who approve of Trump, immigration is the most frequently cited reason.
Among the broader public, however, Trump now lacks a standout issue. On every policy area tested in the poll—including the economy, immigration, foreign policy, health care, and management of the federal government—his approval ratings cluster tightly around his overall 39 percent mark.
Concerns Over Use of Presidential Power
Beyond economic anxiety, worries about American democracy loom large. A majority of Americans say Trump has gone too far in using presidential and executive power, a figure that has risen to 58 percent from 52 percent near the start of his term.
Most respondents also believe he has overreached in attempting to reshape cultural institutions and in cutting federal programs. Roughly half say he has gone too far in altering how the federal government functions.
While many Americans still expect Trump’s presidency to bring significant change, the share who believe those changes will permanently reshape the country has declined. More voters now say they expect the impact of his policies to fade over time.
As the midterm elections approach, the poll underscores the central challenge facing Trump and his party: an electorate deeply concerned about the economy and increasingly skeptical that the president is focused on the priorities that matter most to them.
