This week, fresh insights from the Economist/YouGov poll highlight several pressing themes in American politics, particularly regarding President Trump’s job approval, government spending preferences, institutional trust, and social activism among citizens. Let’s delve into each of these areas.
Trump’s Job Approval Ratings
President Trump is facing historically low job approval ratings, with only 39% of Americans approving of his performance and 58% disapproving, leading to a concerning net approval of -19. This figure marks the lowest approval he has seen in his second term and even falls below most ratings from his first term.
Generational Divide in Approval
A significant shift has been noted among younger voters, particularly those under 30. Just 20% of this group approve of Trump’s handling of his role, a staggering 30-point drop since February. This suggests a growing discontent among younger Americans, marking a trend that contrasts starkly with previous months.
Public Opinions on Government Spending
When it comes to government spending, the poll reveals that many Americans want increases in funding across various sectors. Here’s a breakdown:
- Veterans: 72% of Americans support increased spending.
- Social Security: 69% favor more funding.
- Medicare: 64% want increases.
- Education: 62% approve of more financial resources.
- Medicaid: 55% support increased spending.
- Environment: 53% desire more funding.
Interestingly, only 40% wish to increase national defense spending, while nearly twice as many (44%) want to cut foreign aid budgets.
Trump’s Recent Actions Under Scrutiny
Trump’s actions have drawn criticism, with more people disapproving than approving of his decisions, including:
- Canceling trade talks with Canada (55% disapprove)
- Commuting the sentence of former Representative Santos (60% disapprove)
- Pardoning Changpeng Zhao for money laundering (64% disapprove)
This ongoing disapproval reflects a broader skepticism about his leadership decisions.
Trust in Institutions
Trust in American institutions remains low, with only a few garnering considerable confidence. The military and small businesses rank highest, with 53% and 52% trust, respectively.
- Police: 42% trust
- Public Schools: 29% trust
- Medical System: 29% trust
- Churches: 27% trust
- Banks: 23% trust
- Congress: only 14% trust, the lowest of all institutions surveyed.
This lack of trust suggests a growing disconnect between citizens and the institutions meant to serve them.
No Kings Protests
Many Americans are engaging in protests, such as the recent No Kings protests, which 87% of respondents reported hearing about. Support for the protests is relatively high, with half of Americans approving of the demonstrations, and a majority considering them mostly peaceful.
Participation varied with age and education, showing that older adults and those with college degrees were more likely to take part. This highlights a potential correlation between education level and civic engagement.
Daylight Saving Time Preferences
As the end of daylight saving time approaches, public sentiment is mixed. Only 23% of Americans look forward to the time change, while 65% favor eliminating the practice altogether. Interestingly, older Americans are more inclined to end the clock changes, indicating generational preferences in policy attitudes.
Among those wanting to stop changing the clocks, a preference exists for keeping daylight saving time year-round rather than reverting to standard time.
This poll reveals not just the current state of American political sentiments, but also highlights the substantial generational and ideological divides that continue to shape public opinion and participation.
