President Donald Trump has suffered a dramatic collapse in support among America's youngest voters, according to startling new polling data. His net approval rating with Generation Z has plummeted by a staggering 42 percentage points in less than a year.
A Stunning Reversal of Fortune
The figures reveal a sharp and significant reversal. In February 2025, Trump's net approval with Gen Z stood at a positive 10 per cent. Fast forward to the latest data, and that figure has nosedived to a net negative of 32 percentage points. This represents one of the most substantial demographic shifts recorded in recent political polling.
This steep decline presents a complex picture, given Trump's historical performance with younger voters. He secured 42 per cent of the youth vote in the 2024 election, a notable increase from his 35 per cent share in 2020 and just 25 per cent back in 2016. The current data suggests a rapid erosion of that hard-won support following his return to office.
Economic Anxiety Fuels the Fall
Analysts point to growing economic discontent as the primary engine behind this seismic drop in approval. Polling from December underscores a broad national dissatisfaction, with 67 per cent of all US adults disapproving of President Trump's handling of the economy.
This widespread disapproval persists despite the administration's repeated claims of overseeing a strong economic turnaround. For Gen Z, many of whom are entering the job market or dealing with high education costs, issues like inflation, housing affordability, and the general cost of living appear to be critical pain points driving their political disillusionment.
Implications for the Political Landscape
The sheer scale of this decline among a key demographic will send shockwaves through political strategists' circles. While Trump has demonstrated an ability to rally young voters during campaign cycles, maintaining their support in governance has proven far more challenging.
This generational retreat poses significant questions for the future electoral map and policy agenda. It highlights a potent disconnect between the administration's economic narrative and the lived experiences of millions of young Americans. Whether this trend is reversible or marks a more permanent realignment will be a defining story of the current political era.
