Polls Show Trump Approval Among Independents at New Low

- The historic average approval rating for presidents at the end of their first term is 41%, a figure Trump's current numbers are mirroring. However, his approval among independents has seen a significant 15-point drop over the last year, now standing at just 26%. - Key drivers of voter pessimism include economic anxieties, with a majority of Americans expecting rising unemployment, taxes, and prices in the coming year. Specifically, the cost of living is a top concern, with many voters reporting that trade tariffs have made everyday items less affordable. - State of the Union addresses historically have little to no significant "bump" or impact on a president's approval ratings. - A recent poll found that 57% of Americans believe the state of the union is "not strong," with a notable gender divide where women are 12 points more likely than men to hold this view. Furthermore, 78% of Americans see a serious threat to the future of American democracy. - Disapproval of the administration's handling of specific issues is also high, with 58% disapproving of actions on immigration. Among independents, approval on immigration has fallen to 23%. - The number of voters identifying as independent is growing and they now outnumber both registered Democrats and Republicans in key battleground states like North Carolina and Maine. - Consumer sentiment has remained stagnant, showing little change from the previous month, indicating that most consumers do not perceive a material difference in the economy. This is compounded by rising electricity prices, which are exacerbating affordability issues for many households. - Looking back, John F. Kennedy holds the highest retrospective approval rating of any president at 90%, while Richard Nixon has one of the lowest at 32%. George W. Bush holds the record for the highest approval rating during a presidency, reaching 90% after the September 11th attacks, while Harry S. Truman holds the lowest at 22%.