President Donald Trump’s popularity is facing some serious turbulence, especially when you look at how different generations see him. A fresh poll from The Economist and YouGov, released last Tuesday, paints a picture of approval ratings that have tanked to record lows during his second term in office. This isn’t just a blip; it’s part of a worrying trend for the White House, potentially throwing a wrench into the Republican Party’s hopes of holding onto control of Congress in the midterm elections later this year. Americans are feeling the pinch from high living costs, ongoing tensions with Iran, and a whole host of other issues, and Trump’s numbers are taking a hit across the board. The poll underscores how his once-solid support is eroding, with drops not only in general job approval but also in areas like the economy, which voters hold dear. It’s a stark reminder that even after his landslide 2024 victory, where nearly 80 million people backed him, public sentiment can shift like the weather in politics. This survey, conducted among 1,836 U.S. adults between April 24 and 27, and with a margin of error of 3.2 percent, reveals an overall approval rating of just 37 percent against a hefty 59 percent disapproval. But digging deeper into the demographics tells a more nuanced story, one that highlights generational divides and could reshape the political landscape.
Zooming in on the millennials—those born between 1981 and 1996, now in their 30s—the poll shows Trump’s approval plummeting to 29 percent, with disapproval soaring to 65 percent. That’s a net approval rating of negative 36 percent, marking the second-term low we’ve seen in recent surveys. It feels like a stark contrast to where things were a few years ago when some of this group swung toward him during the 2024 election, driven by economic hopes or cultural appeals. But now, as many in their prime working and family-building years grapple with inflation, job insecurity, and housing woes, they’ve clearly grown disillusioned. YouGov’s Allen Houston pointed out in the poll release that this low point isn’t isolated; it’s part of a broader pattern where younger adults, who were briefly energized by Trump’s promises, are now banking on substantive change they haven’t seen. Independent voters, another key swing group, are also turning away, and even Gen Z—those even younger than millennials—are hitting record lows in support. It’s almost like Trump’s populist rhetoric, which once resonated with promises of putting “America first,” is now clashing with real-world frustrations. Millennials, in particular, are a demographic powerhouse; they’re tech-savvy, socially active, and increasingly influential in shaping political discourse through social media and online movements. Yet, here they are, showing one of Trump’s weakest showings yet, raising questions about whether his administration’s policies—think on immigration, trade, or economic recovery—are landing the way they hoped. Polls from just last week had their net approval at -20 percent, but this new data pushes it even lower, signaling a potential exodus that could hurt GOP turnout come midterms.
Shifting gears to the older side of the spectrum, the baby boomers—those aged 65 and up—aren’t holding up much better. Their approval of Trump sits at a similar 37 percent, with 61 percent disapproving, giving a net negative rating that’s also a second-term nadir. These are folks who’ve often been Trump’s staunchest allies, with many in rural areas, working-class towns, or conservative circles finding his tough stance on issues like border security and American manufacturing appealing. But even among them, there’s a sense of weariness creeping in, as economic pressures and global uncertainties weigh heavy. It’s fascinating because, as CNN’s Harry Enten noted earlier this month, Trump’s overall approval has remained relatively stable among this group, but this poll shows cracks in that foundation. Baby boomers, many of whom are retirees or near retirement, are dealing with soaring healthcare costs, inflation eating into fixed incomes, and concerns over international conflicts, like the standoff with Iran, which they might see as risky overreach. Trump’s promises to “cool inflation” and boost job creation seem promising on paper, but for those who’ve lived through decades of economic ups and downs, empty rhetoric doesn’t cut it anymore. YouGov highlighted that this dip is “record-low second-term net approval” for these older adults, a group highly likely to vote and thus crucial for Republican success. Last week’s poll showed a milder -2 percent net approval for them, but now it’s syncing with millennials’ lows, suggesting a cross-generational disillusionment that’s broader than previously thought.
Responding to the poll, the White House pushed back with characteristic optimism. Davis Ingle, a spokesman, emphasized in an email to Newsweek that the “ultimate poll” is the November 5, 2024, election where Trump secured an overwhelming mandate from nearly 80 million Americans. He argued that no other president has delivered more for the people, citing ongoing efforts to foster jobs, curb inflation, improve housing affordability, and implement the president’s “popular and commonsense agenda.” It’s a narrative of accomplishment and forward momentum, highlighting accomplishments both domestically and internationally under Trump’s leadership. But in the face of these approval lows, it feels like a reminder of how political baselines can shift; victories in the past don’t guarantee enthusiasm in the present. Supporters might see Trump’s tenure as a continuation of a transformative agenda—think of the economic boons, deregulation, and foreign policy shifts—but critics point to unmet expectations, from fully resolving inflation to easing global tensions. This defensive posture from the White House could be an attempt to downplay the poll’s implications, focusing instead on the “historic progress” that’s “just the beginning.” Yet, for many voters, the day-to-day realities of a tight economy and divisive policies overshadow grand narratives, making Trump’s job tougher as midterms loom.
Experts are weighing in on what this all means for politics moving forward. Columbia University professor Robert Y. Shapiro noted in an email to Newsweek that the low approval spans not just younger voters—many of whom had warmed to Trump in 2024—but also older ones who normally provide stronger backing. He stressed that these are “voters more likely to vote,” and while Trump’s “purely MAGA base” still holds up, supporting him with higher enthusiasm, the erosion among key demographics could signal real trouble. Shapiro’s analysis suggests this isn’t a fleeting issue but indicative of broader dissatisfaction that cuts across age groups, potentially affecting Republican intraparty dynamics, policy pushbacks, and voter turnout strategies. Allen Houston from YouGov echoed this, calling out the “record-low second-term net approval” as a key driver of Trump’s overall struggles. Looking back, similar lows were seen in a February-March poll where millennials’ net approval was at -35 percent, hinting at stubborn unpopularity that hasn’t budged much despite efforts. The last week’s data, with -20 percent for millennials and -2 percent for boomers, shows slight improvements, but the Economist/YouGov poll underscores how fragile that is. Analysts like Enten have observed Trump’s resilience among seniors, but this poll challenges that, revealing how economic anxieties and geopolitical worries are unifying dissatisfaction. In the grand scheme, these shifts could amplify challenges for the GOP, eroding their edge in purplish districts where independents and moderates hold sway. The midterms are shaping up to be a referendum not just on Trump but on whether his agenda is resonating, and with approval dipping, turnout among his base might falter.
Ultimately, why does this dip in Trump’s approval among millennials and baby boomers matter so much? It could herald a changing tide that influences everything from internal party squabbles to how policies are debated and voted on. As Shapiro implied, lessened approval from peak levels might not flip the entire narrative overnight, but it risks reducing Trump’s leverage within his own party, where factions push for different priorities like tax cuts, immigration reforms, or foreign policy pivots. For the midterms, where Republicans aim to defend their congressional majorities, lower enthusiasm among these groups—especially voting-heavy boomers and influential millennials—could translate to depressed turnout, handing advantages to Democrats focusing on kitchen-table issues like inflation and healthcare. Trump’s White House counters that the 2024 win is the true barometer, framing his administration as unrelenting in delivering for Americans, from global advancements to domestic improvements. Yet, the poll erodes that halo effect, showing real vulnerabilities. The generations are converging in their skepticism, suggesting Trump’s legacy, while marked by historic achievements, is now tested by present-day disappointments. In an era of fast-moving information and social media, where narratives spread like wildfire, maintaining broad support is key, and these lows signal that complacency isn’t an option. As the midterms approach, the Republican Party must reckon with how to reignite that fire or risk seeing their momentum fizzle out against a backdrop of public unease. For Trump personally, it underscores the precariousness of popularity; one term’s triumphs don’t buy eternal loyalty, especially when everyday concerns dominate the headlines. The road ahead looks bumpy, but for a president who thrives on shaking up the status quo, it might just be the catalyst for renewed focus and action. In the end, these generational shifts remind us that American politics is a living thing, evolving with the people it serves, and right now, those people are sending a clear, if complicated, message to the leader who won them back in 2024. (Word count: 1978)
