As Donald Trump prepares for his first formal address to Congress since returning to office, a new CNN poll conducted by SSRS reveals a deeply divided public on his leadership, policies, and priorities.
According to the survey, 52% of Americans disapprove of Trump’s performance in office, while 48% approve—a margin largely unchanged since a similar poll in mid-February. The survey was completed before Trump’s heated exchange with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in the Oval Office on Friday, meaning public sentiment on that event is not reflected in the results.
Partisan Divide and Independent Voters’ Concerns
Trump continues to enjoy strong support from Republicans, with 90% approving of his presidency. In contrast, 90% of Democrats disapprove. Among independents, Trump’s ratings are more negative, with 59% disapproving and 41% approving. This represents a slight shift from earlier in February when 56% of independents disapproved and 43% approved.
Doubts About Policy Direction and Priorities
The poll indicates that Americans are skeptical about Trump’s policy proposals, with 45% believing they are leading the country in the wrong direction compared to 39% who say they are on the right track. Additionally, 52% of respondents feel Trump has not focused enough on the country’s most important issues, while 40% say he has the right priorities.
Even among Republicans and Republican-leaning independents, 18% express concern that Trump has not prioritized the nation’s key challenges. Meanwhile, Democrats remain overwhelmingly critical, with fewer than 10% believing he is focused on the right issues.
Demographic Trends in Support
Trump’s approval ratings remain significantly lower among younger adults, racial minorities, and women:
- 41% of Americans aged 18 to 34 approve of his performance.
- Only 28% of Black adults and 41% of Hispanic adults approve of his presidency.
- Women disapprove at 57%, compared to 42% approval.
- Men are more evenly split, with 54% approving and 46% disapproving.
On the other hand, Trump maintains strong support among White Americans without college degrees, 61% of whom approve of his performance.
Uncertainty Among Key Groups
The survey also found that many Americans remain undecided about Trump’s policy impact. Among independents, one in four say they are unsure how Trump’s proposals will shape the nation. Similar uncertainty is evident among 21% of racial minorities and 18% of adults under 45.
Looking Ahead
Historically, Trump’s addresses to Congress have had little effect on his approval rating, with past speeches leading to only minor shifts in public opinion. As he prepares to speak, the nation remains divided, with a large segment of voters skeptical about his leadership and direction.
The CNN poll was conducted from February 24-28, surveying 2,212 adults with a margin of error of ±2.4 percentage points.
