Democrats really, really, really don’t like Donald Trump – CNN
Over the last six decades, new presidents have garnered an average 46% approval rating in Gallup polling from the opposing party during the first six months of their tenure.
For Donald Trump and the Democrats? 8%. Yes, that's single digits.
Since the dawn of modern public opinion polling, never has such a small percentage of an opposition party's backers said they approve of the sitting president during his first six months. And it's not even close.
Trump's lack of any kind of honeymoon period among Democrats is one of the chief reasons for his record-breaking low approval ratings. Even Barack Obama got 28% approval from Republicans in the first half of 2009 and George W. Bush got 30% approval from Democrats in the first six months of 2001.
That means more than three times as many Republicans supported Obama and Democrats supported Bush at this point than Democrats approve of Trump right now.
This chart below highlights the growing polarization over the last half century: opposition party supporters commonly gave majority approval to new presidents until the 1980s. It dropped off even more with Bill Clinton, but Trump has ushered in a whole new era of partisan splits.
The reason Trump's overall approval rating is so low doesn't have anything to do with his Republican support, which is very comparable to previous parties in power. Among Republicans, 86% approve of Trump during the first six months compared to 82% of the president's party since 1953.
And Trump has needed to rely on his own party more than his predecessor. Fifty-one percent of Obama approvers were Democrats in the first six months of 2009 compared to 57% of Trump approvers are Republicans now, according to Gallup data.
Republicans made up 13% of Obama approvers, but less than half that many (6%) of Trump approvers are Democrats now.
The chart above shows the relatively consistent support parties have given their president -- and Trump is no exception. (The notable low point is Gerald Ford, who took over after Richard Nixon resigned and then pardoned him.)
Today's Republicans and Democrats are in uncharted waters of polarization. The partisan split for Trump during his first six months in office is the broadest gap between the parties in decades of available polling -- nearly double the average for the first six months of a new president since the 1950s. A whopping 77 percentage points divide Republicans and Democrats in their approval of Trump during the first six months.
But Democrats aren't the only group setting record lows. The same goes for independents: only 36% of them approve of Trump -- far fewer than the 60% for Obama and 53% for Bush during their first six months. Only twice have independents not given majority approval to a brand new president during his first six months; 36% approve of Trump now and 44% approved of Clinton in 1993.
CLARIFICATION: This story has been updated to clarify a reference about Democrats' support for Trump.
Read the original here:
Democrats really, really, really don't like Donald Trump - CNN
- CNN's Manu Raju pushes Jeffries on realities of Democrats' loss in Virginia - CNN - May 13th, 2026 [May 13th, 2026]
- Democrats turn to state legislative races to catch up in the redistricting battle - NBC News - May 13th, 2026 [May 13th, 2026]
- In Ambitious Session, Democrats Focused on Affordability and Addressed Must-Fix Issues Amidst Federal Attacks and a Billion Dollar Deficit - Colorado... - May 13th, 2026 [May 13th, 2026]
- Meet the Kentucky Democrats who think they can flip McConnells Senate seat - Louisville Public Media - May 13th, 2026 [May 13th, 2026]
- California Democrats think voting late will stop a GOP sweep. They might slow down the results - CalMatters - May 13th, 2026 [May 13th, 2026]
- Wisconsin Democrats split with Gov. Tony Evers over school funding deal - WPR - May 13th, 2026 [May 13th, 2026]
- Democrats warn a third of the Congressional Black Caucus could be wiped out by redistricting wars - NBC News - May 13th, 2026 [May 13th, 2026]
- Select Committee Democrats Outline Priorities Ahead of TrumpXi Meeting in Beijing - Select Committee on the CCP - Democrats | (.gov) - May 13th, 2026 [May 13th, 2026]
- Kentucky Democrats are underdogs in the U.S. Senate race but several candidates argue they can win - Kentucky Lantern - May 13th, 2026 [May 13th, 2026]
- Key House Republican faces calls from Democrats to resign over radio interview - Axios - May 13th, 2026 [May 13th, 2026]
- Democrats abandon rollback of business tax breaks to fund family tax credit after Colorado governors veto threat - The Colorado Sun - May 13th, 2026 [May 13th, 2026]
- Live Nation: Democrats Plan Hearing on Controversial DOJ Settlement, Which Could Preview Oversight Theyll Conduct If Mid-Terms Return Them to Power -... - May 13th, 2026 [May 13th, 2026]
- Tennessee Democrats removed from House committees after redistricting protests - WBIR - May 13th, 2026 [May 13th, 2026]
- 'Im out here with the people': Tensions on display as NH Democrats look towards 2026 - New Hampshire Public Radio - May 13th, 2026 [May 13th, 2026]
- Tennessee Democrats worry about representation after prompt removal from House committees - WTVC - May 13th, 2026 [May 13th, 2026]
- Top Democrats press Trump to approve arms sale to Taiwan ahead of Xi meeting - The Hill - May 13th, 2026 [May 13th, 2026]
- A Private Call Reveals Democrats Desperation Over Tossing of Map - The New York Times - May 13th, 2026 [May 13th, 2026]
- Arkansas Democrats accuse governor of rigging the court system, say she should not get to pick judge for her own appeal - Arkansas Times - May 13th, 2026 [May 13th, 2026]
- HUD Secretary Shares His Homeless Uncle's Plight as He Spars With Democrats Over Budget Cuts - Realtor.com - May 13th, 2026 [May 13th, 2026]
- Ohio Democrats nearly matched GOP primary turnout. Does it matter for November? - Signal Ohio - May 7th, 2026 [May 7th, 2026]
- Democrats walk out of redistricting hearing; protesters arrested - WPLN News - May 7th, 2026 [May 7th, 2026]
- Pennsylvania voter registration: Democrats expand advantage for the first time in years - Pennsylvania Capital-Star - May 7th, 2026 [May 7th, 2026]
- Takeaways from Indiana, Ohio and Michigan: Trump's flex pays off and Democrats win special election - PBS - May 7th, 2026 [May 7th, 2026]
- Latino voters shifted towards Democrats on Prop. 50. Heres how we analyzed it. - CalMatters - May 7th, 2026 [May 7th, 2026]
- Michigan Democrats keep control of state Senate in election win that offers clues about midterms - PBS - May 7th, 2026 [May 7th, 2026]
- Nadler, 250+ Democrats Fight To Protect Mifepristone Access, Womens Health Care, And FDA Authority - Congressman Jerrold Nadler (.gov) - May 7th, 2026 [May 7th, 2026]
- Opinion | Democrats, Keir Starmer Is a Warning - The New York Times - May 7th, 2026 [May 7th, 2026]
- Opinion | If Democrats Have Appropriate Fear of Trump, They Will Elect Platner - The New York Times - May 7th, 2026 [May 7th, 2026]
- Democrats retain control of Michigan senate with overperformance in special election - The Guardian - May 7th, 2026 [May 7th, 2026]
- Scalise: Democrats Must End the Reckless Rhetoric and Focus on Working Families - Majority Leader | Steve Scalise (.gov) - May 7th, 2026 [May 7th, 2026]
- Democrats criticize Iowa decision to share voter info with US Justice Department - Iowa Capital Dispatch - May 7th, 2026 [May 7th, 2026]
- Democrats turn out despite little on the ballot - vindy.com - May 7th, 2026 [May 7th, 2026]
- Why Democrats Stand No Chance in the Gerrymandering Wars - Slate - May 7th, 2026 [May 7th, 2026]
- Virginia Democrats won the vote on the map, but voters lost the fight - The Hill - May 7th, 2026 [May 7th, 2026]
- Black voters were the most enthusiastic for the redistricting amendment. Southwest Democrats were the least. - Cardinal News - May 7th, 2026 [May 7th, 2026]
- Democrats Return to a Tried and True Campaign Message: Trumps Corruption - NOTUS News of the United States - May 7th, 2026 [May 7th, 2026]
- Trump won Ohio by 11 points. Democrats think they can win there anyway. - MS NOW - May 7th, 2026 [May 7th, 2026]
- Democrats win big in US special elections, but Trump reinforces hold on GOP - The Times of Israel - May 7th, 2026 [May 7th, 2026]
- Democrats criticize Iowa decision to share voter info with US Justice Department - KCRG - May 7th, 2026 [May 7th, 2026]
- Andy Beshear won twice in Trump country. Now he wants to show Democrats how to do it everywhere - MS NOW - May 7th, 2026 [May 7th, 2026]
- A California Dream? Some Democrats Fear Harris Picked the Wrong Race. - The New York Times - May 7th, 2026 [May 7th, 2026]
- Everyone Pardoned By Trump With Political Or Financial Ties To White HouseAs Democrats Investigate - Forbes - May 7th, 2026 [May 7th, 2026]
- Democrats battling for lieutenant governor spar over ability to flip seat, work with GOP majority - Cherokee Tribune - May 7th, 2026 [May 7th, 2026]
- Working Americans are taking the streets for May Day. Will Democrats pay attention? | Claire Valdez - The Guardian - May 1st, 2026 [May 1st, 2026]
- With Mills out, Democrats line up behind Platner as he reiterates his vision for the party - Maine Morning Star - May 1st, 2026 [May 1st, 2026]
- Three Democrats vie for what could be partys best hope of an Alabama Senate gain - Alabama Reflector - May 1st, 2026 [May 1st, 2026]
- How Democrats running for governor say they differ from Janet Mills - The Portland Press Herald - May 1st, 2026 [May 1st, 2026]
- While both political parties are unpopular, Democrats have a lead in the race for Congress - YouGov - May 1st, 2026 [May 1st, 2026]
- A fight to win ICE protections for Oregon teachers reveals a rift among Democrats - The Daily Astorian - May 1st, 2026 [May 1st, 2026]
- Israels center wants Democrats back. It may not have the cards. - Politico - May 1st, 2026 [May 1st, 2026]
- Democrats wrestle over campaign agenda: You cant just be anti-Trump - Semafor - May 1st, 2026 [May 1st, 2026]
- Susan Collins votes with Democrats to halt the Iran war - The Portland Press Herald - May 1st, 2026 [May 1st, 2026]
- How Democrats Can Have a Better Conversation About Israel - The Bulwark - May 1st, 2026 [May 1st, 2026]
- The Rundown: Democrats react to SCOTUS voting rights ruling - WBEZ Chicago - May 1st, 2026 [May 1st, 2026]
- What Alex Padilla says Democrats should do about the Voting Rights Act ruling - Politico - May 1st, 2026 [May 1st, 2026]
- DEMOCRATIC VOICE: Virginia redrawing voting maps for Democrats and how it plays in Wisconsin - wizmnews.com - May 1st, 2026 [May 1st, 2026]
- Democrats are lying about what Voting Rights SCOTUS decision actually means - seattlered.com - May 1st, 2026 [May 1st, 2026]
- Collins Joins Democrats in Voting For Measure to End Iran War - Time Magazine - May 1st, 2026 [May 1st, 2026]
- Election 2026: In Pa. House 187th, 2 Democrats want to take on incumbent Gary Day in November - The Morning Call - May 1st, 2026 [May 1st, 2026]
- Democrats find few places in South Dakota for grassroots to take root - Brookings Register - - May 1st, 2026 [May 1st, 2026]
- Hegseth clashes for a second day with Democrats in Congress over the Iran war - ABC7 Los Angeles - May 1st, 2026 [May 1st, 2026]
- ICE Watchers Worry Democrats Are Trying to Co-Opt Their Movements For Votes - The Intercept - May 1st, 2026 [May 1st, 2026]
- Excruciating and Agonizing: A New Reality for Jewish Democrats - The New York Times - April 29th, 2026 [April 29th, 2026]
- Many Democrats are stressed out by the news. They still cant turn away, a new poll finds - AP News - April 29th, 2026 [April 29th, 2026]
- Tax me, wealthy Democrats say, as they try to prove they're 'class traitors' - NBC News - April 29th, 2026 [April 29th, 2026]
- Democrats for Georgia governor pitch tax cuts, with more spending in some areas - WABE - April 29th, 2026 [April 29th, 2026]
- 2 high-profile Texas Democrats try to keep their careers alive after GOP gerrymander - Politico - April 29th, 2026 [April 29th, 2026]
- Democrats are targeting the Colorado Springs based congressional seat, but who will be their candidate? - Colorado Public Radio - April 29th, 2026 [April 29th, 2026]
- Democrats Try to Tee Up a Tax on the 1 Percent - Seven Days Vermont - April 29th, 2026 [April 29th, 2026]
- Democrats investigate as Trump OKs almost $2 billion in taxpayer money to end offshore wind projects - ClickOnDetroit | WDIV Local 4 - April 29th, 2026 [April 29th, 2026]
- How Bernie Sanders convinced Democrats to oppose arming Israel - Politico - April 29th, 2026 [April 29th, 2026]
- Congressman calls on Congress to pass reconciliation bill without Democrats, warns 'time is running out' - Fox Business - April 29th, 2026 [April 29th, 2026]
- US Democrats probe TotalEnergies-Trump offshore wind buyout over legal failures - Wind Power Monthly - April 29th, 2026 [April 29th, 2026]
- Can Populism Reverse Democrats Fortunes in the Sunbelt? - Campaigns & Elections - April 29th, 2026 [April 29th, 2026]
- Senate Democrats to Force a Vote on Automatic Renewals for Immigrant Work Permits - NOTUS News of the United States - April 29th, 2026 [April 29th, 2026]
- A Progressive Donor Group Wants Democrats to Go Hard at Economic Populism - NOTUS News of the United States - April 29th, 2026 [April 29th, 2026]
- Democrats risk becoming an unforeseen casualty of war with Iran | Opinion - The Portland Press Herald - April 29th, 2026 [April 29th, 2026]
- I know how to win: Former Texas Democrats executive running to be party leader - Spectrum News - April 29th, 2026 [April 29th, 2026]
- Democrats Launch New Effort to Identify Republican Threats to the Midterms - NOTUS News of the United States - April 29th, 2026 [April 29th, 2026]
- Democrats investigate as Trump OKs almost $2 billion in taxpayer money to end offshore wind projects - The Tri-City Record - April 29th, 2026 [April 29th, 2026]