A CNN poll conducted by SSRS ahead of the president’s address to congress reveals a more negative than positive sentiment of president Trump’s administration. The survey finds that across three basic measures of Trump’s performance on the job – his approval rating, whether he has the right priorities and whether his policies are taking the country in the right direction – the negative side outpaces the positive. President Trump has strong Republican backing, but faces widespread disapproval among Democrats and independents, raising questions about his ability to unite the nation and steer it in the right direction.
Approval Ratings: A Deeply Divided Nation
Overall, 52% of Americans disapprove of Trump’s job performance, while 48% approve virtually unchanged from a similar poll conducted in mid-February. The numbers highlight a country still deeply polarized along party lines. Republican support remains strong, with 90% approval, while an identical 90% of Democrats disapprove. However, among independents, a crucial voting bloc, disapproval is rising, 59% disapproves of the president’s leadership, up from 56% earlier in the month.
Trump’s 48% approval rating before his upcoming congressional address is notably higher than it was in 2017 ahead of his first-term speech. However, historical trends suggest that his speeches before Congress have done little to shift public sentiment, with past addresses resulting in approval rating changes of no more than three percentage points.
Policy Direction: Skepticism Prevails
A significant portion of Americans remain skeptical about Trump’s policy direction. More respondents believe his proposals are leading the country in the wrong direction (45%) rather than the right one (39%), with 15% undecided.
This represents a shift from 2017 poll in March, when Americans were more evenly split over whether Trump’s policies would lead the right way or the wrong one. But by January 2018, the margin of dissatisfaction had widened significantly, a 12-point margin that his policies were pointing the nation in the wrong direction.
Additionally, a majority (52%) say Trump has not prioritized the country’s most pressing issues, compared to 40% who believe he has. Notably, 18% of Republicans and Republican-leaning independents also feel his focus has been misplaced, an indication that even within his base, concerns about his leadership priorities persist.
Demographic Divide: Who Supports Trump?
Trump’s approval rating remains weak among key demographic groups. Among younger adults (18-34), only 41% approve of his performance, while among Black adults, approval plummets to just 28%. Hispanic adults are slightly more supportive at 41%, but overall, these groups express strong dissatisfaction with Trump’s policies.
Gender also plays a significant role in public perception. While a majority of men (54%) approve of Trump, women are much more critical, with 57% disapproving. A significant gap also emerges along educational lines, as Trump maintains solid support (61% approval) among White Americans without a college degree, a group that formed a critical part of his 2016 and 2020 voter base.
Young Americans are particularly wary of Trump’s leadership, with 51% believing he is taking the country in the wrong direction and 61% saying he has not focused on the country’s most pressing challenges. Similarly, among Black and Hispanic respondents, roughly two-thirds or more believe Trump’s priorities are misplaced, with only 14% of Black adults and 31% of Hispanic adults saying his policies are heading in the right direction.
Despite these strong negative opinions, a notable portion of independents (25%), Americans of color (21%), and younger voters under 45 (18%) remain uncertain about how Trump’s policies will impact the country—suggesting that public sentiment may still be in flux.
Poll Methodology and Reliability
The CNN poll, conducted by SSRS from February 24-28, surveyed a random national sample of 2,212 adults through online and telephone interviews. The results have a margin of sampling error of ±2.4 percentage points, ensuring a high degree of reliability in capturing national sentiment.
Conclusion: A Polarized Nation, A Questionable Path Forward
As Trump prepares to address Congress, he faces a nation that remains sharply divided. While he retains strong loyalty among Republicans, growing discontent among independents and demographic groups crucial for electoral success raises concerns about his broader appeal. With skepticism surrounding his policy priorities and a significant portion of the population believing he is steering the country in the wrong direction, Trump’s ability to rally national support remains uncertain. His speech may provide an opportunity to shift perceptions—but if history is any guide, the challenge of bridging America’s deep political divide will not be easily overcome.
Trump is such a nuisance and a disgrace to the US..