Ten months into his second term, President Donald Trump continues to champion his administration’s achievements, casting the nation’s economic performance and assertive foreign policy as evidence of strong leadership. Yet the latest CNN/SSRS national poll presents a starkly different reality, revealing a significant erosion of public trust. According to the survey, Trump’s approval rating has plummeted to 37%, down from 47% earlier in the year, marking one of the steepest declines of his presidency. While the White House insists that these numbers misrepresent the nation’s mood, the data reflects a growing unease across party lines. Discontent is not confined to traditional critics; instead, it has seeped into portions of his once-reliable base, where economic anxieties and concerns over presidential authority have begun to outweigh ideological loyalty. As Trump remains publicly defiant, dismissing the poll as media manipulation, experts warn that such sharp declines rarely occur in isolation—they often signal profound shifts in public sentiment that shape electoral landscapes and define political eras.

Central to the poll’s findings is the public’s overwhelming concern about the soaring cost of living. Forty-seven percent of respondents named inflation and everyday expenses as their top national concern, far outpacing issues like immigration or national security—topics that have traditionally dominated Trump’s political brand. Though unemployment remains low, Americans report feeling economically squeezed, as rising prices for food, housing, utilities, and healthcare strain household budgets. This disconnect between macroeconomic indicators and personal financial stress has weakened perceptions of the administration’s economic stewardship. For millions, statistics about job growth or market performance matter far less than the stark reality of grocery bills doubling, rent rising faster than wages, and medical costs consuming a greater share of income. The frustration captured in the polling reflects a deeper sentiment: many Americans feel the economy is leaving them behind, and they hold the president responsible for not only failing to correct the trend but for policies they believe have exacerbated it. In a political environment where pocketbook issues often determine voter turnout, these sentiments carry powerful implications for the midterms.

The president’s foreign-policy approach—marked by abrupt shifts, high-risk bargaining, and confrontational rhetoric—has also come under intensified scrutiny. Fifty-six percent of respondents believe his decisions have harmed America’s global standing, citing concerns over trade disputes, strained alliances, and sudden military deployments. Critics argue that unpredictable decision-making has unsettled long-standing partners while emboldening rivals; supporters counter that Trump’s willingness to disrupt the status quo has yielded strategic advantages. Yet the poll’s numbers suggest that the broader public is increasingly skeptical of the administration’s approach. International instability—ranging from escalating tensions in Eastern Europe to volatile energy markets—has heightened concerns about national security and global diplomacy. Each foreign-policy flare-up has amplified voter unease about the administration’s responsiveness and coherence. As Americans grapple with the uncertainties of a changing world order, many appear unconvinced that Trump’s strategies offer the stability or clarity they seek, a perception that could influence not only congressional races but the broader political mood of the nation.

Concerns about presidential overreach further complicate Trump’s standing. A notable 61% of respondents believe he has exceeded his constitutional authority through expansive executive orders, National Guard deployments, and unilateral military actions that bypassed congressional consultation. Critics argue that these moves undermine democratic norms and concentrate power in the executive branch, while supporters insist they are necessary responses to national emergencies or legislative gridlock. Nonetheless, the perception of overreach has grown steadily, contributing to broader apprehension about the direction of presidential power under the current administration. This sentiment resonates sharply among independents—a demographic crucial to midterm outcomes—who often value checks and balances and view institutional restraint as fundamental to national governance. The administration’s aggressive posture, once seen as evidence of strength, now risks being interpreted as a disregard for process, collaboration, and transparency. As this perception spreads, it feeds a narrative that the president is steering the country toward ever-greater political polarization.

The political implications of this polling are profound. Despite maintaining overwhelming support among Republicans, Trump faces deep disapproval among independents and near-universal criticism from Democrats. Most strikingly, 41% of voters say they plan to cast their midterm congressional vote specifically to oppose him—a level of motivational intensity that analysts say could energize his critics far more effectively than his base. Historically, voter enthusiasm tied to opposition has been a decisive force in midterm elections, often leading to significant shifts in congressional power. While Trump’s loyal supporters remain steadfast, the poll suggests that their enthusiasm may not offset the mobilization of voters determined to send a rebuke to the White House. These dynamics have the potential to reshape the political landscape dramatically as parties strategize for the upcoming midterm contests. Candidates in competitive districts must navigate the tension between aligning with a polarizing president and appealing to an electorate increasingly anxious about the nation’s trajectory.

Despite the mounting concerns highlighted by the poll, President Trump has dismissed the results as “fake,” accusing CNN and other media outlets of manipulating data to undermine his presidency. He continues to emphasize what he describes as economic resilience, foreign-policy achievements, and successful negotiations on trade and security. Yet beyond the rhetorical battles lies a nation confronting multiple pressures simultaneously: rising costs, a looming government shutdown, escalating foreign tensions, and internal fractures within the administration itself. The country appears deeply divided, not merely along partisan lines but across differing perceptions of leadership, stability, and national identity. As the nation moves toward the next electoral cycle, Trump faces the challenge of reconnecting with voters who are increasingly uncertain about his direction. Whether he can reverse these negative perceptions—or whether they signal the beginning of a broader political realignment—remains one of the defining questions of the current era. What is clear from the polling is that Americans are searching for reassurance, consistency, and solutions to the daily struggles that shape their lives, and they are growing less convinced that the president’s approach aligns with those needs.