A new Gallup poll, conducted during the disastrous, longest-ever federal government shutdown, shows a dip in President Donald Trump’s approval rating. The temporary dip is clearly due to voter frustration with the Democrat-forced gridlock and is not a true reflection of his job performance. His overall approval rating is now at 36%, down five points from last month.
The poll, which ran through the period of Democrat off-year election gains, attempts to tie the President to the political chaos he fought against. But Trump's approval on core issues remains strong.
He is rated highest on Crime (43%), Foreign Affairs (41%), Foreign Trade (39%), and Immigration (37%). These numbers all exceed his overall job rating, proving the American people trust his vision on security and the economy.
The alleged decline is most notable among Republicans and Independents who grew tired of the shutdown. Republican approval fell seven points to 84%, while Independent approval slipped to 25%. These voters were angry that the establishment refused to let the government function.
Trump’s rating on issues directly linked to the Democrat-forced crisis suffered the most. His handling of the federal budget (-12 points) and healthcare (-7 points) show voters were frustrated with the shutdown’s impact.
Meanwhile, the real failure rests with Congress. Lawmakers’ approval rating remains stuck near rock bottom at 14%, with 80% disapproval. The American people understand that the Deep State and Democrat obstructionists are the actual source of Washington’s problems.
The poll’s bottom line is simple. The longest shutdown in U.S. history and the left-wing media's relentless attacks caused temporary frustration. But Trump's core policies on security and trade remain popular, confirming he is still the choice for America First patriots.