Key Takeaways
- The approval rating for congressional Democrats is at 24%, while Republicans have a 29% approval rating.
- Only 24% of Americans are satisfied with the direction of the country, with 74% expressing dissatisfaction.
- The current economic conditions are rated as "poor" by 47% of Americans, with 31% describing them as "fair".
- The Gallup Economic Confidence Index has dropped to -33, indicating a decline in economic evaluations.
- Americans are increasingly pessimistic about the economy’s direction, with 68% saying it is getting worse.
Introduction to the Current State of the Country
The year is closing out with a bleak view of the country, its leaders, and the economy. The longest federal government shutdown in U.S. history has had a lasting impact on Americans’ perceptions of the government and the economy. According to a recent Gallup poll, conducted from December 1-15, the ratings of Congress, including both parties, are weak and sharply polarized. The approval of Congress is at 17%, with 37% of Republicans approving, compared to 12% of independents and 6% of Democrats.
Approval Ratings of Congressional Parties
The poll also found that when asked separately about the job the Republicans and Democrats in Congress are doing, Americans give both groups poor marks. Approval of Republicans in Congress stands at 29%, while Democrats in Congress receive a rating of 24%. Congressional Republicans are buoyed by support from their own party, with 69% of rank-and-file Republicans approving of their party’s representatives and senators. In contrast, less than half of Democrats (49%) approve of their own party’s members of Congress. Historical comparisons are complicated, but it is notable that congressional Democrats’ current rating is lower than any prior Gallup measurement.
National Mood and Economic Evaluations
The poll also finds that 24% of Americans are satisfied and 74% are dissatisfied with the way things are going in the country, which is unchanged from November but more negative than all other readings since January. As recently as May, 38% of U.S. adults were satisfied. Satisfaction levels remain slightly higher than at the end of the Biden administration. Declining satisfaction has coincided with worsening views of the economy in recent months. Gallup’s Economic Confidence Index currently sits at -33, which is down 10 points from October and 19 points from June, and is the lowest it has been since registering -35 in July 2024.
Economic Conditions and the Most Important Problem
Nearly half of U.S. adults (47%) now describe current economic conditions as "poor," up from 40% in November and the highest since September 2024. Just 21% believe economic conditions are either "excellent" or "good," while another 31% describe them as "only fair." Meanwhile, 68% say economic conditions are getting worse, compared with 29% who say better. Americans have consistently been more pessimistic than optimistic about the economy’s direction in recent years, but the current figures represent a deterioration from earlier this year. Consistent with those worsening economic evaluations, Americans are more inclined to name economic issues as the most important problem facing the country. Currently, 35% do so, up from 24% in both September and October.
Leadership Approval Ratings
A steady 36% of Americans approve of Donald Trump’s job performance, including 89% of Republicans, 25% of independents, and 3% of Democrats. The president’s approval rating is unchanged from last month, when it fell to the lowest of his second term, just barely above his personal low of 34% in January 2021. None of 12 other U.S. leaders from Congress, the Cabinet, the Supreme Court, or the Federal Reserve earn majority-level approval either. Just two — Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell (44%) and Secretary of State Marco Rubio (41%) — are rated above 40%. Meanwhile, Senate Republican Leader John Thune (34%) and Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer (28%) rank at the bottom of the list.
Trump’s Presidential Qualities
The poll also updated Americans’ perceptions of Trump’s presidential qualities for the first time in his second term. Of seven characteristics tested, being a "strong and decisive leader" is Trump’s highest-rated attribute, as 48% of Americans say this applies to him. Four in 10 Americans say Trump can bring about changes the country needs, while 39% think he can manage the government effectively. Just over one-third of Americans believe Trump keeps his promises (37%), puts the country’s interests ahead of his own (35%), or cares about the needs of people like them (34%). Only 30% of U.S. adults view Trump as honest and trustworthy. Opinions diverge sharply by party on Trump’s leadership and competence, with between 89% and 94% of Republicans saying the president is strong and decisive, can bring about needed changes, and can effectively manage the government.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Americans are heading into 2026 deeply dissatisfied with the nation’s direction, offering worsened economic assessments and broadly negative views of political leadership following the historic government shutdown. Approval of the president, Congress, and key national leaders from both parties remains weak and intensely polarized, providing evidence of a continued government shutdown hangover. The Gallup poll provides valuable insights into the current state of the country, highlighting the need for leaders to address the economic concerns and political dissatisfaction of the American people.
