Trump Approval Hits Second-Term Low As Voter Frustration Grows Over Energy And Trade

President Donald Trump's net approval rating held at −14 for a second consecutive week, marking the lowest sustained figures of his term, according to recent polling data. The Morning Consult survey shows 42% of voters approve of the president's job performance, while 55% disapprove. The share of voters who strongly approve dropped to 21%, a new low for his second term. This shift reflects declining intensity within his own base: strong approval fell to 47% among registered Republicans and 44% among voters who backed him in 2024. The drop extends a summer trend of declining ratings across key domestic issues, with net approval down over the past four weeks on the economy (−16), the national debt (−19), and energy (−9). The polling shifts come alongside gains for Democrats on the generic congressional ballot, where they now lead Republicans by 4 points, 46% to 42%. This represents the widest Democratic lead in the 85-week tracking series for a second week in a row. Democrats have also maintained an edge on the issue of trade for four consecutive polling waves, marking their longest streak of the second term on a topic where Republicans previously held a sustained advantage. Trump's net approval on trade currently stands at 39% approve to 51% disapprove, matching a record low as the administration prepares new semiconductor tariffs and plans a state dinner with Chinese President Xi Jinping. Voter sentiment has also shifted on the topic of energy infrastructure and technology. In the latest monthly survey, 45% of respondents said the U.S. should stop building artificial intelligence data centers to reduce energy demand, compared to 36% who favor continuing construction while adding to the energy supply. The 9-point margin is the widest recorded over 11 months of tracking the question, which was evenly split when polling began last October. The anti-expansion stance leads among Democrats (54% to 30%), independents (39% to 32%), and across three out of four U.S. geographic regions. Overall, 65% of voters hold data centers responsible for rising power prices, including 73% of Democrats, 61% of Republicans, and 60% of independents. Among voters who support blocking local data centers, 56% cite higher electricity bills as a primary reason—an 8-point increase since July. Another 35% cite distrust of AI companies, while 29% point to profits flowing outside local communities. The public pushback has prompted political activity in key races. House Democrats' campaign arm and the House Majority PAC are focusing on data center energy demands across 11 battleground races following testing in 24 competitive districts, focusing on messaging around utility costs and corporate oversight, according to reporting from POLITICO. Campaign materials from the National Republican Congressional Committee have also addressed local concerns regarding data centers. Broader energy concerns continue to shape voter expectations. While 63% of respondents said lowering energy prices should be a top priority for Washington, 40% believe it is currently being treated as one. Congressional Democrats have maintained a lead on voter trust regarding energy policy for approximately 60 consecutive weeks. READ: Trump Endorses James Uthmeier For Florida Attorney General