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Trump's Grip Is Weakening: Polls Reveal GOP and Voter Doubts

Key findings: Recent bipartisan polls show Donald Trump's approval at record-low levels and weakening public confidence in his handling of the economy. Multiple surveys report that a plurality of Americans feel his economic policies have hurt them, while one poll finds 44% strongly disapprove of his stewardship on jobs and the economy. Polling also shows majorities worry Congress and the Supreme Court are ceding too much authority to the presidency, and a notable share of Republicans say Mr. Trump has overstepped. These trends could make GOP lawmakers less willing to act purely on loyalty.

09:18 PM, 11/21/2025Politics
Trump's Grip Is Weakening: Polls Reveal GOP and Voter Doubts

President Donald Trump now faces a pressure point he has largely avoided since returning to power: members of his own party and a growing share of voters appear willing to hold him to account.

In recent weeks Mr. Trump pushed hard to block the release of documents tied to Jeffrey Epstein, warning of primary challenges for Republicans who opposed him. Those warnings failed to secure unanimous loyalty, underscoring that the threat of intraparty retaliation no longer guarantees obedience.

What the polls show

Several bipartisan surveys paint a consistent picture: Mr. Trump's approval is at or near record lows and his advantage on the economy — once a core strength — is eroding.

A recent bipartisan national poll finds a plurality of respondents say the president's economic policies have harmed them, and even most Republicans declined to say his policies helped. Independent surveys show broad public disapproval of his handling of jobs and the economy, with one poll reporting 44% who strongly disapprove. Another national poll indicates Democrats hold a double-digit advantage in early preferences for next year’s House races. And a reputable survey of Republican voters found that nearly a quarter say Mr. Trump has gone too far in the exercise of presidential power.

Why it matters

Mr. Trump's influence depends heavily on near-total loyalty from congressional Republicans. That loyalty has been sustained by the belief that he holds decisive sway over the GOP electorate. As the president's approval and economic standing weaken, Republican lawmakers—especially those facing competitive primaries or general-election threats—may calculate that distancing themselves is politically safer.

Polls also show broad public concern that the other branches of government are ceding too much authority to the presidency: majorities of Democrats and independents, and a sizable share of Republicans, say Congress and the courts have given up too much constitutional power. In short, a meaningful portion of the Republican base is uneasy about Mr. Trump's expansion of authority.

Political implications

For incumbents and challengers alike, the calculus is shifting. Remaining tightly aligned with the president may still be the clearest path to surviving a GOP primary, but it is less certain to deliver victory in a general election if economic concerns and worries about unchecked power dominate voters' minds.

What took only a handful of Republicans to break ranks over the Epstein files could repeat on other issues as political space opens. If more lawmakers perceive that Trump is a liability for 2026 or beyond, the aura of invincibility that bolsters his authority could further erode.

Sources: national bipartisan polling, YouGov/Economist survey, Marist poll, and a national NORC survey for the Associated Press.

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