Trump Faces Declining Support Among Young Voters
One of the most notable outcomes from the 2024 election was Donald Trump’s unexpected success with Gen Z voters. His appeal to those under 30 showed significant gains, which left many on the left surprised and highlighted potential challenges for the Democratic Party moving forward.
However, since Trump’s initial popularity in February, his net approval ratings have declined across all age groups, with the steepest drop among young voters. Polling from Economist/YouGov reveals that his approval among 18-29-year-olds has fallen dramatically.
NEW Economist/YouGov
Net favorability of Donald Trump at the start of his second term | now among U.S. adult citizens by age
18-29: +5 | -51
30-44: -6 | -17
45-64: +12 | 0
65+: -4 | -16— YouGov America (@YouGovAmerica) October 28, 2025
In a recent survey conducted from October 24-27, more than 75% of 18-29-year-olds expressed disapproval of Trump’s presidency, with 55% strongly disapproving. His handling of the economy and inflation also received poor marks, with 72% disapproving in both areas. Additionally, 61% of young respondents believe the economy is worsening.
Looking at their personal finances, 38% felt they were in the same position as last year, while 42% reported being worse off. A striking 70% of those aged 18-29 think the country is moving in the wrong direction.
This sentiment aligns with rising unemployment rates among young Americans. College graduates, even with practical degrees, are facing difficulties in finding employment as the job market tightens. Rising housing prices—hitting a record high of $435,000—further complicate matters.
It’s essential to recognize that this poll is just a moment in time, and some economic factors are largely beyond Trump’s control, aside from trade policies and tariffs.
Yet, affordability and inflation remain paramount concerns for young people and many Americans, regardless of political affiliation. They might not be as invested in the government’s conflicts with groups like Antifa or high-profile indictments within the political sphere. Instead, issues like mortgage rates and home affordability likely take precedence.
This isn’t to downplay the importance of other issues; significant implications could arise from the ongoing Arctic Frost controversy surrounding the Biden administration, for instance. However, many young voters who previously supported Trump, mainly due to frustration over inflation, are unlikely to favor an administration focused on peripheral political battles while economic issues loom large.
Ultimately, there’s a need for the Trump administration to strike a better balance between catering to its loyal base and addressing fundamental economic concerns that helped propel him to the presidency in the first place. So far, that balance has seemed elusive.
