Politics

New Poll Shows Steep Drop in Trump Approval Rating

By Jake Beardslee · November 5, 2025

President Donald Trump’s approval rating has dropped sharply among voters aged 65 and older, according to recent polling data from HarrisX and YouGov/Economist. The decline follows ongoing controversies over Social Security policy and staffing cuts at the Social Security Administration (SSA), which have reduced access to essential services for retirees and disabled Americans.

Labor economists and analysts at the Economic Policy Institute have pointed to growing insecurity surrounding retirement and health care as key factors driving the decline. With nearly half of older Americans lacking sufficient retirement savings, many are increasingly anxious about maintaining their standard of living amid policy uncertainty.

Teresa Ghilarducci, a labor economist at The New School, said, “Trump’s weakening support among voters over 65 reflects growing economic anxiety, as nearly half of older workers approach retirement without enough savings to maintain their standard of living or even stay above the poverty line.” She added, “With retirement insecurity spreading up the income scale and Social Security facing automatic cuts in 2032, seniors’ disapproval signals deep frustration that the system no longer protects them from economic precarity.”

In response to concerns, White House Deputy Press Secretary Kush Desai said, “President Trump will always protect and defend Social Security for American citizens.” The administration has also denied reports that it is planning an overhaul of disability eligibility rules, though some critics have warned that such changes could restrict access for vulnerable populations.

House proposals linked to health-care reform have included provisions to limit Medicare access for certain illegal immigrants and reduce Medicaid enrollment. Economists argue that such measures could inadvertently increase long-term care costs for older Americans. Ghilarducci noted, “Seniors increasingly see him as less reliable on the core issue of retirement security, making the 13-point drop in approval among over-65 voters unsurprising.”