Poll: Democrats Lose Confidence Post-Trump Victory as Both Parties Struggle with Public Trust

Six months after Donald Trump’s return to the White House, a new poll finds Democrats deeply pessimistic about their party’s future, while public approval for both major U.S. political parties remains low, as per The AP.

The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research survey, conducted earlier this month, shows only about one-third of Democrats feel “very” or “somewhat” optimistic about the direction of their party—a steep drop from July 2024, when roughly 60% expressed a positive outlook.

The poll highlights internal frustrations and lack of faith in party leadership as Democrats regroup from a stinging electoral defeat that cost them the presidency and both chambers of Congress. Meanwhile, Republicans show slightly improved optimism, though broader concerns about U.S. politics persist.

Democrats Seek New Leadership

Amid growing dissatisfaction, Democratic voters are divided over the party’s top figures. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, once a reliable presence among party loyalists, now holds just 33% favorability among Democrats—down from about 50% in late 2024. His support among all Americans stands at just 21%.

Progressive stars fare better. About three-quarters of Democrats view Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders favorably, though his national appeal is limited to about 40% of all adults. Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, a rising figure in the party’s progressive wing, garners favorable views from half of Democrats and roughly 30% of the general public.

Republicans See Modest Gains, But Doubts Remain

On the Republican side, the poll finds 55% of GOP voters optimistic about their party’s future—up from 47% last summer. Still, only 3 in 10 Republicans feel good about the overall state of U.S. politics, an improvement from just 10% a year ago.

GOP leaders also face scrutiny. Secretary of State Marco Rubio receives favorable ratings from 60% of Republicans, while about one-third of all Americans share that view. House Speaker Mike Johnson and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth draw support from around half of Republicans, though both remain relatively unpopular nationally.

Patrick Reynolds, a Republican pastor and activist from Texas, expressed concerns about Trump’s leadership and his alliance with Rubio and Hegseth in slashing federal programs.

“How can we be the party of the rule of law when we’re violating constitutional principles?” Reynolds said. “I think there could be a backlash.”

Broad Disillusionment with U.S. Politics

Beyond party lines, the poll paints a grim picture of American political trust. Just 4 in 10 U.S. adults view the Republican Party favorably, and only about one-third say the same for Democrats. Criticism extends to the electoral system itself, with 55% of Democrats expressing dissatisfaction with how political leaders are chosen—up from 46% last summer.

The wave of discontent cuts across age, region, and ideology.

The AP-NORC poll suggests that both parties face serious challenges in rebuilding trust and motivating their bases ahead of the 2026 midterm elections.