President Donald Trump’s handling of the federal government has lost support among Republicans and independents as the government shutdown stretches into its sixth week, according to a new poll from The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research.
The survey, conducted after Democrats’ recent off-year election victories but before Congress advanced measures to end the shutdown, found that only 33% of U.S. adults approve of Trump’s management of the government, down from 43% in March. The decline was fueled largely by falling support among Republicans and independents. About 68% of Republicans now approve of Trump’s management, compared with 81% earlier this year. Among independents, approval dropped from 38% to 25%.
The results underscore the growing political risks for Trump as the shutdown — now the longest in U.S. history — continues to disrupt daily life for millions of Americans. The funding lapse has delayed paychecks for federal workers, strained food assistance programs and slowed air travel, even as the administration has sought to place the blame on Democrats. The poll suggests that voters are frustrated with both parties, but that Trump, as president, is bearing much of the responsibility for the impasse.
While Democrats overwhelmingly continue to disapprove of Trump’s management of the federal government — 95%, compared with 89% in March — the erosion of Republican support marks a notable shift for a president who has typically enjoyed strong loyalty from his party’s base. Analysts say the decline could reflect unease over Trump’s approach to the shutdown and his broader management style, including mass layoffs and efforts to downsize key federal agencies.
Despite growing discontent with his management of the government, Trump’s overall approval rating has remained steady. About 36% of Americans say they approve of his performance as president, roughly unchanged from 37% in an October AP-NORC survey. His ratings on the economy and immigration — issues that have defined much of his presidency — also remain stable, while approval of his handling of health care rose slightly, from 31% to 34%.
The survey also found that the shutdown has sharpened public concern over the government’s ability to deliver essential services. Health care and food assistance have been among the most visible points of contention. Democrats have pushed to include funding extensions for health tax credits in any shutdown-ending deal, while millions of families reliant on SNAP benefits have faced uncertainty over delayed payments.
Public frustration with Washington’s gridlock has not been confined to one party. Recent polls show that while Republicans may be taking slightly more blame, many voters view both sides as responsible for the standoff. For Trump, however, the prolonged crisis could have longer-term consequences. The president’s approval on economic issues — long his strongest political asset — has slipped modestly since the spring, as public confidence in his handling of government operations wanes.
Political observers note that Trump’s approval could rebound if the shutdown ends soon, particularly if the White House is able to frame a resolution as a political victory. But the damage among some Republican voters may be harder to reverse, especially if the shutdown leaves a lasting mark on public services and household finances.
The AP-NORC poll highlights a widening gap between Americans’ views of Trump’s leadership and their opinions of his policy achievements. While his supporters continue to credit him for low unemployment and economic growth, a growing share of respondents view his management of the government as chaotic and ineffective.
The president’s approval ratings have historically been resilient through controversy, but the survey suggests that prolonged political standoffs may be testing the limits of that loyalty. Whether Trump can recover politically from the shutdown — and rebuild confidence in his ability to govern — could shape public perceptions of his leadership for the remainder of his term.
The AP-NORC poll was conducted nationwide among adults using a combination of telephone and online interviews. The margin of error was plus or minus 4.2 percentage points.
This article includes reporting by the Associated Press.
