In 2016, Donald Trump became the first individual to win the presidency with a net unfavorable rating. Fast forward to 2024, and he’s done it again. Yet, it seems his adversaries aren’t seeing any improvement. Over the past decade, American politics has taken a distinctly negative turn, and neither party seems eager to change that.
Trump’s approval ratings are well-documented. He seldom garners positive reviews. Except for a brief period just after his inauguration, Trump has faced negative sentiment throughout his candidacy and presidency. Nevertheless, he secured victories in two out of three elections, thanks in part to significant democratic upheaval.
There’s really no mystery here. If Democrats and their media supporters momentarily set aside their overwhelming anti-Trump sentiments, they’d likely realize their own party doesn’t fare much better. Hillary Clinton struggled with net negative ratings for most of her 2016 campaign, and Kamala Harris, who had only recently broken even, became associated with Joe Biden’s significant unpopularity.
This issue of unpopularity extends beyond just presidential candidates; it permeates American politics as a whole. Generally, both the public and politicians with net favorable ratings seem to have less name recognition. It’s interesting how the more people know a name, the more likely they are to form negative perceptions—it’s a tricky dynamic.
Considering his historical voting records, it’s somewhat surprising how well Trump is doing now. His approval ratings are in a similar range as those of former Presidents George W. Bush and Barack Obama during their second terms. Some polls have shown Trump enjoying a favorable edge, although it’s worth noting even those polls have him in the mid-40s, which, for Trump, is quite decent.
The latest YouGov polls—typically not very favorable towards Trump—indicate he has a 43% approval rating against 52% disapproval. An impressive 80% of Republicans approve of him, compared to just 11% who disapprove. On the flip side, Democrats show almost opposite sentiments, with 93% disapproval against 5% approval. Meanwhile, independents have a more negative view of Trump, with disapproval ratings ranging between 56% to 36%.
This division along party lines has become characteristic of American public opinion.
According to RealClearPolitics, the average sentiment shows that several political figures, including JD Vance, Speaker Mike Johnson, and Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer, find themselves in unfavorable territory. Schumer, in particular, has garnered a significant negative rating, leading with an 18-point deficit. House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries has a near-even approval rating, but he’s also less known. If his visibility increases, he might find himself facing similar scrutiny.
The June 2nd YouGov poll showed a list of prominent Republican and Democratic politicians, and nearly all were underwater with independents. Those with lower negativity rates often had a majority of independents remaining indifferent.
Schumer topped the disapproval list with a 24-point net negative among independents, followed closely by Trump (minus 20 points), Biden (minus 17), Gavin Newsom (minus 15), and Harris (minus 12). Vance’s rating stood at minus 21 points with independents.
Aside from Harris and Newsom, many potential Democratic contenders for the 2028 presidential race are facing slightly negative views, primarily due to low recognition. Senators Cory Booker and Pete Buttigieg both registered minus 3 points, while Gretchen Whitmer had just a 2-point negative rating, but their names weren’t widely known.
A particularly notable figure is Bernie Sanders, who stands out as the only truly popular politician right now. His approval stands at 48% against 38% disapproval, notably 51% among independents. Strange as it may seem, his favorable standing reflects his current lack of political power. He generates little negative feedback simply because he isn’t active in decision-making, whereas Trump, Vance, Johnson, Schumer, and Newsom are more influential figures.
The media landscape—both left and right—tends to overlook those without actual power in Washington. Sanders’ popularity continues because of this free pass, while figures like Rep. Alexandra Ocasio-Cortez are also gaining attention, but with more mixed reviews, hovering around minus six to seven points among independents.
The overall pessimism among independents presents both a challenge and an opportunity for Republicans and Democrats alike. With the common dissatisfaction towards both parties, there’s potential for an independent to emerge and sway the majorities.
However, neither party seems inclined to adopt a moderate stance that could win over independents. Ongoing conflicts and shifting policies—especially on economic issues—might energize Trump supporters, but they alienate independents. On the other hand, Democrats appear to be sticking to unpopular policies, including those relating to immigration and extreme views on social issues.
A sustained majority is achievable for either party, but sadly, it seems no one is paying attention.
