A new AP-NORC poll shows Trump’s approval on government management plunging to 33%, with growing GOP discontent during the prolonged shutdown.
President Donald Trump’s approval rating for government management has suffered its steepest decline since the start of his second term, according to a new AP–NORC Center for Public Affairs Research poll, exposing deepening frustration within his own Republican ranks.
The survey, conducted after Democrats’ recent off-year election gains but before Congress took steps to end the longest government shutdown in U.S. history, found that only 33% of Americans approve of how Trump is managing the federal government — down from 43% in March.
Among Republicans, approval fell from 81% to 68%, while independents dropped from 38% to 25%, underscoring growing unease about both the shutdown and Trump’s aggressive restructuring of the federal bureaucracy.
The 40-plus-day funding lapse has snarled air traffic, halted federal paychecks, and jeopardized food aid programs, fueling discontent that even loyal supporters admit is difficult to ignore.
“It’s like having a petulant child in the White House,” said Beverly Lucas, a lifelong Republican from Florida. “When people are hungry, he had a party. He seemed callous.”
Democrats, as expected, remain overwhelmingly critical — with 95% disapproving of Trump’s management — but what alarms political strategists is the erosion of Republican patience amid mounting economic and social fallout.
Overall Approval Holds, But Governance Wavers
Despite the turbulence, Trump’s overall approval rating has held steady at 36%, nearly unchanged from October. His marks on immigration (35%) and the economy (40%) remain consistent, indicating that while Americans remain divided over his policies, his core base still trusts his agenda.
“I have great confidence in Trump,” said Susan McDuffie, a retiree from Nevada. “The Democrats don’t care about the people. They’re using this shutdown as an excuse.”
Trump’s approval on health care — a major flashpoint during the shutdown — ticked up slightly to 34%, as his administration framed Democratic resistance to extending key tax credits as obstruction.
Still, moderates like Nora Bailey, an independent from Arkansas, voiced mixed feelings:
“Everybody’s being stubborn,” she said. “I don’t see enough being done yet to prove we’re downsizing government instead of just fighting about it.”
Plenty of Blame, Little Patience
The poll suggests Americans see both parties at fault, though Republicans appear to bear more heat due to Trump’s high-profile shutdown strategy.
Political analysts warn that if the shutdown continues, it could leave a lasting dent in perceptions of Trump’s leadership style — even among those who still endorse his economic nationalism.
“Air traffic controllers? Really? You want to not pay the people whose hands your lives are in every day?” Lucas asked. “We should be addressing conflicts like intelligent people — not thugs and bullies on the playground.”
Conclusion:
While Trump’s populist credibility on immigration and trade remains intact, his image as a capable manager of government has taken a hit. The AP–NORC findings signal that the president’s most serious political threat may not come from Democrats — but from erosion within his own coalition, weary of chaos and waiting for results.
