President Donald Trump's economic approval rating sits at a dismal 27%, with 73% disapproving, according to a new CNN poll. This net minus-46 rating reflects a deepening economic crisis for the majority of Americans. Only 28% of the population now views the economy as "at least somewhat good," a stark contrast to previous years.
This widespread economic discontent is a primary driver for voters. A significant 68% of Americans now consider the economy "extremely important" to their vote, up from 44% in 2018 and 32% in 2006. Other economic indicators are hovering around all-time lows, CNN’s Alicia Wallace reported.
Who Bears the Cost
Public sentiment on the economy has plummeted. In 2018, 69% of Americans viewed the economy as at least "somewhat good." That figure was 59% in 2006. Today, it's less than half that number, indicating a severe decline in material conditions for many households.
The ongoing Iran war is also proving more unpopular than the Iraq war was in 2006. Americans disapprove of Trump’s handling of the war by 47 points, and 52 points say the war wasn’t worth it. In 2006, both Bush’s approval on the Iraq war and public support for the conflict were about 30 points underwater at their worst.
While the current conflict lacks "boots on the ground" and large numbers of U.S. troop deaths, its economic impact is felt domestically. High domestic gas prices are a main complaint among the populace. This directly links the projection of imperial power abroad to the daily financial burden on working families at home. Despite the differing nature of the conflicts, similar numbers of voters, 48% today and 46% in 2006, called the wars "extremely important" to their vote.
The State's Role in Managing Discontent
President Trump's overall unpopularity has intensified, making him more unpopular than he was in 2018 or George W. Bush was in 2006. A CNN poll shows Trump 34 points underwater among U.S. adults, while the CNN Poll of Polls places him 29 points underwater. In 2018, he was generally between 13 and 15 points underwater, and Bush was between 7 and 22 points underwater in 2006.
Data journalist G. Elliott Morris noted that Trump appears to be the most unpopular president on the eve of a midterm in modern history. This widespread disapproval translates into a clear electoral message: 44% of registered voters stated their vote is meant to send a message of opposition to Trump. This is a larger split than in 2018, when 38% opposed and 25% supported, or in 2006, with a 36% opposition and 15% support.
No Real Alternative
Despite the deep unpopularity of the current administration and the economic hardship it oversees, the Democratic Party struggles to present itself as a viable alternative. The July CNN poll revealed that only 30% of Americans hold a favorable opinion of the Democratic Party, marking its worst rating ahead of a midterm since at least 1994. This figure is barely better than the GOP’s 31% favorable rating.
This poor brand image contrasts sharply with previous anti-incumbent cycles. In 2018, Democrats held a 46% favorable rating compared to Republicans' 40%. The gap was even wider in 2006, with Democrats at 56% favorable and Republicans at 44%. The current generic ballot shows Democrats leading by only eight points, less than the 9 to 12 points around this time in 2018 and the 13 to 18 points in 2006. This suggests that while voters are eager to punish the ruling party, the existing political structures offer little in the way of fundamental change.