American Mood Slumps to Inauguration-Day Levels Amid Growing Pessimism

RealClearPolitics’ average of polls released April 28, 2025 shows 61 percent of Americans say the country is on the “wrong track,” matching the 61.6 percent recorded on January 18, 2025, two days before President Donald Trump’s second inauguration. Parallel surveys by ABC News/Washington Post (65 percent), Economist/YouGov (62 percent) and Reuters/Ipsos (64 percent) all place roughly two-thirds of respondents in the same view.

Newsweek

Political scientists label the “wrong-track” question “a pretty reliable bellwether.” Grant Davis Reeher of Syracuse University noted this reliability. In the same period, Trump’s overall approval fell to 37 percent with a 62 percent disapproval rating, his lowest approval since his first term began. The decline followed tariffs imposed in April 2024 and a sharp dip after the Iran war began in February 2025.

Newsweek

• Wrong-track perception: 61-65 percent across four major polls.

Newsweek

• Trump’s overall approval: 37 percent; disapproval: 62 percent.

Newsweek

• Issue-specific approval: 37 percent on inflation, 39 percent on the Iran conflict.

Newsweek

Across economy, immigration, taxes, foreign policy and other key areas, respondents rated Trump’s handling more negatively than positively.

Newsweek

Analysts warn the “giant flashing red warning sign” signals a difficult environment for the GOP in the 2026 midterms, which often serve as a referendum on the president’s performance. The trend includes many Republicans and Trump supporters who now view the nation negatively, putting the party on the defensive. For Democrats, low party “brand” popularity suggests a need to present a clear, positive alternative to capture voter discontent.

Newsweek

Trump dismissed the polls, saying the negative results are irrelevant because he is not on the ballot.

Newsweek

Reefer warned that rising “wrong-track” sentiment suggests problems for Republicans heading into the midterms. Panagopoulos described the indicator as a “giant flashing red warning sign” for the GOP and said Republicans will be on the defensive in 2026.

Newsweek

• “ The polling question about the direction of the country is "a pretty reliable bellwether,” Grant Davis Reeher, a professor of political science at Syracuse University, told Newsweek.” — Grant Davis Reeher, Professor, Syracuse University

Newsweek

• “It is a problem I'm not on the ballot,” — Donald Trump, President of the United States

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• “Everyone says if I was on a ballot, we'd win in a landslide. I have some of the best poll numbers I've ever had.” — Donald Trump, President of the United States

Newsweek

The four polls differ by up to three percentage points (61 %–65 %) on the “wrong-track” share. No source provides demographic breakdowns or trend data beyond the April snapshot, leaving uncertainty about which voter groups drive the pessimism.

Newsweek