As President Donald Trump moves through the tenth month of his second term, he continues to project confidence, often describing the country’s outlook as strong and prosperous. However, new nationwide polling paints a more complicated picture—one marked by economic stress, political tension, and widespread uncertainty about the country’s direction.
A recent CNN/SSRS survey, conducted from October 27 to 30 and involving more than 1,200 adults, offers important insight into how Americans are feeling right now. The results reflect a nation that is increasingly uneasy about its future and divided in its assessment of the president’s leadership.
A Notable Drop in Approval Ratings
According to the poll, President Trump’s approval rating has fallen to 37%, with 63% of Americans expressing disapproval of his performance. This represents one of the lowest points of his second term and highlights a clear decline in public confidence.
Earlier in the year, following his re-election, Trump enjoyed a temporary rise in support, reaching an approval high of 47% in February. The significant drop since then suggests that many Americans are reevaluating their views as everyday challenges continue to mount.
These numbers also come close to his lowest rating ever recorded, shortly after the January 6, 2021 Capitol riot—an event that left a lasting mark on his political legacy.
Economic Worries Dominate Public Concern
When Americans were asked about the issues that worry them most, one priority overshadowed all others: the economy and cost of living.
Nearly 47% of respondents said rising expenses—such as food, housing, and general inflation—were their primary concern.
Other concerns include:
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26% are most worried about the state of U.S. democracy, signaling increased stress over political division and institutional trust.
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Only 10% identified immigration as their top issue, even though it remains one of the president’s most frequently discussed topics.
Additionally, 68% of Americans feel the nation is moving in the “wrong direction,” while only 32% believe things are going “fairly well.”
Do Americans Feel Trump’s Policies Are Helping?
Opinions on the president’s policies remain sharply divided, but the poll shows a challenging trend for the administration:
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61% believe Trump’s policies have worsened economic conditions.
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27% say his decisions have improved the economy.
Foreign policy reflects similar divisions.
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56% feel the U.S. has become weaker globally.
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32% believe the country’s international standing has strengthened.
These numbers suggest that many Americans are questioning whether the government’s current approach is helping them feel more secure—financially or globally.
Concerns Over Presidential Power
One of the most striking results from the survey involves how voters perceive presidential authority.
A full 61% believe President Trump has exceeded the proper limits of his office.
This concern appears tied to several headline-making decisions over the past year, including executive orders, National Guard deployments, and foreign military actions taken without direct congressional approval.
Such actions are influencing how Americans view the balance of power, which may play an important role in how they vote in the upcoming midterm elections.
Midterms May Serve as a Public Verdict
With the midterms approaching, the poll suggests Trump will be a central factor for many voters:
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41% say they plan to vote specifically to oppose Trump’s agenda.
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21% say they will vote to support him.
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The remainder say Trump’s presidency will not influence their vote directly.
These divisions could shape competitive races across the country, particularly in states where voters are feeling the pressure of rising costs and political uncertainty.
Trump Rejects the Polls
In response to the survey, President Trump has publicly dismissed the findings.
On Truth Social, he criticized the results as biased, calling them “Fake Polls” promoted by what he describes as unfriendly media outlets.
He defended his record by highlighting his administration’s achievements, including claims of economic success, reduced military conflicts, and future-focused policies.
Despite these statements, pollsters note that the data reflects a clear gap between how the president views his performance and how many Americans feel in their daily lives.
A Nation Searching for Stability
As the country moves toward another year marked by political decisions and economic challenges, the poll underscores a larger reality: many Americans are uncertain about the nation’s direction. Concerns over household budgets, global stability, and political division continue to shape everyday conversations.
Whether President Trump can rebuild trust or whether these rising frustrations will lead to significant shifts in the next election cycle remains an open question.
For now, the findings indicate one consistent theme: behind the headlines and political debates, many Americans are quietly asking themselves whether the nation is truly improving—and what needs to happen next.
