Majority Believes Trump Moving US in Wrong Direction, Poll Finds
A new NPR/PBS News/Marist poll, released just a day before Donald Trump's State of the Union address, reveals that most US adults think the president is leading the country in the wrong direction during his second term. The survey, conducted from 27 to 30 January, found that 55% of adults feel Trump is changing the nation for the worse, marking a significant 13-point increase from a similar period in his first presidency.
Growing Discontent Across Party Lines
Support for the president sharply divides along partisan lines, with 90% of Democrats believing the country is worse off than a year ago, while 82% of Republicans feel things have improved. However, the poll indicates Trump has lost some backing even among his own party. In February 2025, 75% of Republicans or those leaning Republican said they thought Trump had the mental fitness needed for the job, but by January, this number had decreased to 66%.
Similarly, the number of Republicans who think Trump acts ethically in office dropped from 55% to 42% over the same period. This erosion of support highlights growing concerns within his base as his second term progresses.
Decline in Faith in Democratic Systems
Faith in the democratic system of government has also waned during the first year of Trump's second term. In March 2025, 43% of US adults agreed that "the system of checks and balances dividing power between the president, Congress and the courts is working well." By the time of the new survey, only 32% held this view, indicating a notable decline in confidence in governmental institutions.
A separate Pew Research Center survey conducted in January further underscores Trump's unpopular policies. Only 27% of US adults said they supported all or most of his policies and plans, suggesting broad dissatisfaction with his administrative actions.
Historical Context and Implications
The increase in negative perceptions is not isolated; the number of people who believe Trump is moving the country in the wrong direction rose by four points from April, showing a steady trend of growing disapproval. This poll, released ahead of the State of the Union speech, could influence public discourse and political strategies as Trump navigates the remainder of his term.
As debates over presidential leadership and democratic integrity continue, these findings highlight the polarized state of US politics and the challenges facing the current administration in garnering widespread public trust.
