Erosion of Trump’s Support and Democratic Gains in Late 2025
By late 2025, public support for Donald Trump significantly declined, with Gallup reporting an approval rating of 36% and disapproval at 60%. Approval ratings were notably underwater on key issues such as crime, foreign affairs, trade, and immigration.
In contrast, Democrats gained momentum throughout the year as affordability emerged as a central campaign focus. This resulted in the party winning key races including the New Jersey and Virginia governorships, as well as the New York City mayoralty, thereby expanding their political capital. Analysts placed roughly 70% odds on Democrats recapturing the House in the 2026 midterm elections, citing voter backlash related to the economy and inflation.
Meanwhile, the Republican Party experienced a notable exodus, with prominent figures such as Mitch McConnell, Thom Tillis, Joni Ernst, and Tommy Tuberville opting not to seek re-election. Over two dozen House Republicans also stepped down.
Domestic policy faced challenges, with the Working Families Tax Cut Act criticized for transferring wealth upward. Tariffs contributed to market volatility and increased consumer prices. Additionally, Trump planned a $400 million White House ballroom. Governing tactics under his administration included firing 17 inspectors general, ordering Department of Justice investigations into perceived enemies like James Comey and Letitia James, freezing federal funding to universities, and applying legal pressure on major media outlets, including attempts to revoke their licenses.
On the foreign policy front, attention shifted abroad, with Trump brokering a ceasefire and hostage deal between Israel and Hamas. He hosted Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in the Oval Office, pursued a cordial approach to Russian President Vladimir Putin in Alaska, and ordered drug-ship strikes in the Caribbean amid war-crime allegations.
Climate and health policy saw significant reversals, including withdrawal from the Paris Agreement and dismantling of climate-science infrastructure. The appointment of RF Kennedy Jr. fueled anti-vaccine sentiment and politicization of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
Large-scale civic activism was evident in the No Kings protests, which attracted approximately 5 million participants in June and about 7 million in October, marking them as some of the largest civic actions in decades.
