President Donald Trump is witnessing a notable decline in his approval ratings, even among the voters who propelled him to victory in the 2024 presidential election, as the United States grapples with its longest-ever government shutdown.
Polling Reveals Erosion of Base Support
A new YouGov/Economist poll, conducted between October 31 and November 3, reveals a significant shift. While 84 percent of Trump's 2024 supporters still approve of his job performance, this figure represents a four-point drop from August, when his approval rating among this group stood at a formidable +74. The poll now shows a +70 net approval rating amongst his core voters.
When considering all American respondents, the numbers are more stark. Only 39 percent approve of Trump's performance, compared to 57 percent who disapprove. This downturn in support coincides with the ongoing government shutdown, which has now surpassed all previous records to become the longest in U.S. history, eclipsing the 35-day shutdown that occurred during Trump's first term.
Real-World Consequences of the Shutdown
The political stalemate in Washington is having severe consequences for millions of citizens. Nearly 42 million Americans have lost access to their full Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) food stamp benefits after funds ran out in November.
Although a legal challenge sought to restore the funding, the Supreme Court put that effort on hold. The USDA initially issued a memo stating it was working to implement full November benefits, but on Sunday, the agency reversed its position, ordering states to "undo" steps taken to issue those full payments.
This has placed an immense strain on the nation's food banks, which were already struggling to cope with demand after hundreds of thousands of federal workers stopped receiving paychecks.
The travel sector is also facing major disruptions. With air traffic controllers working without pay, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has been forced to reduce flight capacity at 40 airports. This led to thousands of flight cancellations and delays across the country over the weekend.
A Broader Trend of Declining Support
This erosion of support from his base follows significant Democratic victories in election races across the country last week. The trend is corroborated by a separate Emerson College poll, conducted on November 3 and 4, which found that 49 percent of Americans disapprove of Trump's job performance, versus 41 percent who approve.
Spencer Kimball, Executive Director of Emerson College Polling, noted a complete reversal since Trump's inauguration. "Nearly one year after he was elected, President Trump’s approval has flipped since the first Emerson College poll of the new administration," he stated. The data shows Trump's support among Republican voters has fallen 12 points, from 91 percent to 79 percent.
In response to the series of unfavourable surveys, President Trump took to his Truth Social platform to decry the polls as "fake," claiming that in "Fair Polls" he has the best numbers he has ever had.
