Donald Trump’s approval is in free fall. A sweeping new poll shows that a growing majority of Americans are fed up with his leadership, and many now see him not just as unpopular, but flat-out dangerous.
The poll, conducted by the Public Religion Research Institute (PRRI), paints a bleak picture for Trump and his allies as the 2026 midterms creep closer. More than 6 in 10 Americans (62%) say the country is on the wrong track — and it’s not just Democrats. A whopping 71% of independents and even 24% of Republicans agree that things are headed south.
Trump’s approval numbers aren’t much better. Fifty-six percent disapprove of the job he’s doing as president, and his overall unfavorable rating is now sitting at 58%. His support among Republicans remains strong (86%), but among independents — the key swing vote — only 32% approve. Among Democrats? Just 8%.
But this isn’t just about disapproval. It’s about fear.
The survey found that a majority of Americans — 56% — now agree with the statement: “President Trump is a dangerous dictator whose power should be limited before he destroys American democracy.” That number is up from 52% earlier this year. Just 41% still believe Trump is a “strong leader” who should be empowered to restore the country’s greatness.
And it doesn’t stop there. Most Americans also say what Trump is doing to the federal government amounts to “an assault on constitutional checks and balances and the rule of law” (54%), while only 43% see his actions as necessary course correction.
The list of complaints goes on. Nearly two-thirds of Americans (65%) are unhappy with the economy and the federal government’s overall performance — including almost 30% of Republicans. Disapproval is also high when it comes to immigration: 57% of Americans are not on board with how the administration is handling undocumented immigrants, with nearly 90% of Democrats and a smaller chunk of Republicans expressing frustration.
The policies themselves are under fire too. Majorities of Americans say that slashing federal health care funding (60%), gutting support for universities and research (55%), and ramping up ICE’s deportation efforts (52%) have gone too far. So has Trump’s push for new tariffs on imports (54%). These aren’t fringe takes — this is mainstream backlash, especially among independents.
PRRI CEO Melissa Deckman put it bluntly: “It looks like political independents are very unhappy with Trump’s actions,” noting that “close to two-thirds on many indicators say the administration has gone too far.”
That should have the GOP worried.
Heading into the 2026 midterms, the country’s mood is dark — and Trump is at the center of the storm. If these numbers hold, Republicans banking on Trump’s base may find that the rest of America is ready to push back.
