In brief
An AP-NORC poll reveals that President Trump's approval rating for managing the government has fallen to 33%, down from 43% earlier this year. With a notable decrease in approval from Republicans and independents, many cite the government's prolonged shutdown and significant layoffs as contributing factors to their dissatisfaction. The survey highlights the risks Trump faces as he navigates both party blame for the shutdown and broader concerns over his administration's direction.
WASHINGTON (AP) — Approval ratings for President Donald Trump regarding government management have significantly dropped since the beginning of his second term, according to a recent AP-NORC poll. This decline has been particularly noticeable among Republican voters.
The survey, conducted after the Democrats' recent victories in off-year elections, shows only 33% of U.S. adults approve of Trump's handling of government, down from 43% in a March poll. The poll highlighted a noteworthy decrease in approval among Republicans, with only 68% expressing support now, compared to 81% earlier in the year.
The government shutdown has exacerbated public sentiment, with blame being attributed to both political parties. The situation has notably disrupted air traffic, left numerous federal workers without paychecks, and has threatened food aid for vulnerable populations.
Among Republicans, Beverly Lucas, a 78-year-old retired educator, expressed her frustration, comparing Trump's actions to those of a 'petulant child' while reflecting on the serious nature of the shutdown. Conversely, Trump’s overall approval rating remains relatively steady at around 36%, despite specific discontent with his government's management.
Many still support Trump, with some Republicans attributing the shutdown to the Democrats’ actions rather than the President's leadership. As debate continues over issues like health care and upcoming tax credits, some voters have cited disappointment with the lack of progress in addressing waste in the federal system.
The poll of 1,143 adults was conducted from November 6-10, using a representative sample by NORC’s AmeriSpeak Panel, with a margin of error of plus or minus 3.8 percentage points.
