Trump's Approval Drops Among Republicans Amid Government Shutdown

Wed Nov 12 2025 21:47:53 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

A recent poll highlights a significant decline in President Trump's approval ratings for government management, particularly among Republicans, as the U.S. faces an ongoing government shutdown.

Approval of President Trump's handling of the government has plummeted from 43% to 33% in a recent AP-NORC poll, largely driven by decreasing support among Republicans and independents. As the government shutdown continues, many express frustration over its impact, with some blaming both parties for the deadlock. While Trump's overall approval remains relatively stable at 36%, there's notable discontent regarding his management of federal operations.

Approval of the way President Donald Trump is managing the government has dropped sharply since early in his second term, according to a new AP-NORC poll, with much of the rising discontent coming from fellow Republicans.

The survey from The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research was conducted after Democrats’ recent victories in off-year elections but before Congress took major steps to try to end the longest shutdown in U.S. history. It shows that only 33% of U.S. adults approve of the way the Republican president is managing the government, down from 43% in an AP-NORC poll from March.

That decline is largely attributed to a decrease in approval among Republicans and independents, with 68% of Republicans approving of Trump’s government management, down from 81%. Independents’ approval fell from 38% to 25%.

The results highlight the risks posed by the shutdown, which Trump and his administration are attempting to pin solely on Democrats. However, many U.S. adults are placing blame on both parties as the funding lapse disrupts services and leaves federal workers unpaid.

Among Republicans, a growing number are expressing dissatisfaction. Beverly Lucas, a 78-year-old retired educator from Florida, stated her concerns about the government shutdown and criticized Trump for a Halloween party held during the crisis. Meanwhile, 95% of Democrats continue to disapprove of Trump’s management.

Despite the decline in specific management approval, Trump’s overall approval rating holds steady at 36%, with little change in public sentiment regarding key issues such as immigration and the economy. Health care has emerged as a significant concern amid the shutdown debate, with many Americans aware of the impending expiration of health-related tax credits.

As the shutdown continues, so does the debate over accountability, with some Americans expressing mixed feelings toward Trump’s leadership style and management decisions.

It’s expected that Trump’s approval on handling the federal government could rebound if the government reopens, but the prolonged conflict may leave lasting impressions on voters’ perceptions of the president.