Congressional Democrats approval among younger Americans plunges: poll
A new national poll conducted by the Harvard Kennedy School’s Institute of Politics has revealed that fewer than one in three young Americans approve of the job President Donald Trump and Congress are doing. The 50th Harvard Youth Poll, conducted from March 14-25, paints a bleak picture for both political parties, with approval ratings plummeting among Americans aged 18-29.
The approval rating for congressional Democrats has nosedived to 23%, a significant drop from 42% at the start of Trump’s first term in 2017. On the other hand, approval ratings for congressional Republicans have remained steady at 29%. President Trump’s approval rating stands at 31%, virtually unchanged from previous surveys.
The decline in approval ratings for Democrats comes at a time when the party is facing significant challenges. A Gallup poll conducted in April revealed that confidence in Democrat leadership in Congress is at a record low of 25%. This drop in confidence is coupled with sinking favorable ratings for the Democratic Party in national polls conducted by Quinnipiac University, CNN, and NBC News.
The Democratic Party’s struggles can be attributed to the fallout from the 2024 election, where Republicans made significant gains across demographic groups traditionally aligned with the Democrats. The party’s base has become increasingly frustrated with what they perceive as ineffective leadership in pushing back against President Trump’s controversial policies.
Despite the challenges facing the Democratic Party, the Harvard poll also indicates dissatisfaction with President Trump’s leadership. Only 15% of those surveyed believe the country is headed in the right direction, with 51% feeling that the country is on the wrong track. Additionally, just one in four respondents believe that the country is better off under President Trump compared to former President Joe Biden’s term.
Overall, the survey highlights the deep divisions and discontent among young Americans towards both political parties and the current state of the country. As the political landscape continues to evolve, it remains to be seen how these sentiments will shape the upcoming election cycles and the future of American politics.
