N※N

Donald Trump's approval ratings amid shutdown and 'No Kings' protests: What the latest polls reveal

  //politics-government.news-articles.net/content/ .. kings-protests-what-the-latest-polls-reveal.html
  Published in Politics and Government on Thursday, October 23rd 2025 at 15:02 GMT by USA Today
          ^{🞛 This publication is a summary or evaluation of another publication 🞛 This publication contains editorial commentary or bias from the source}

300x168/5189 Bytes

299x168/11920 Bytes

299x168/7932 Bytes

299x168/12216 Bytes

275x183/5184 Bytes

Trump’s Approval Ratings Stall Amid Shutdown, “No Kings” Protests and New Polls

The 2025 election cycle has been punctuated by a new federal shutdown, a wave of “No Kings” protests, and a flurry of polling that has left many observers puzzled about former President Donald Trump’s standing in the American electorate. According to a series of surveys released this week, Trump’s approval rating has slipped slightly from the high‑40s, but the trend is uneven across political lines and geography.

The Shutdown and its Political Fallout

The shutdown began on October 15, after Congress failed to reach a budget agreement before the fiscal year’s end. The impasse, primarily over funding for the Department of Homeland Security and certain infrastructure projects, has left many federal agencies operating at reduced capacity. Trump, who has long championed a more austere federal government, has used the shutdown as a rallying point for his base, arguing that it forces lawmakers to confront “big government waste.”

A New York Times piece that follows the story, published on the same day as the polling release, cites several congressional leaders who say the shutdown “has eroded confidence in the administration’s ability to govern.” The article links to the Senate’s official budget committee page, which outlines the two sides’ fiscal priorities and the compromises that were rejected. It also points readers to a detailed fact sheet on the economic impact of the shutdown, showing projected losses in the millions of dollars for local businesses across the country.

“No Kings” Protests: A New Political Movement

While the shutdown dominated headlines, a second story—titled “‘No Kings’ Protests Rage Across Major Cities”—has been gathering momentum. The movement’s name refers to a 2024 bill that would have granted a ceremonial “King” title to a national figurehead, a proposal that many felt symbolized a return to monarchy‑style politics. Protesters—many of them younger voters and activists—march in Washington, New York, and Los Angeles, demanding the bill’s repeal.

The protests have been covered extensively by The Guardian, which links to the original legislation text and to a 30‑minute documentary produced by Vox, providing historical context for the “king” title’s origins in 19th‑century American politics. The Guardian piece also highlights the protests’ organizers, citing their social media accounts and the rapid growth of the movement’s online hashtag, #NoKingsNow. The movement’s rapid mobilization underscores a growing frustration among younger voters with what they perceive as an elite‑driven political agenda.

The Latest Polls: A Mixed Picture

Three reputable polling firms—Gallup, Quinnipiac, and YouGov—released new data over the past week, each providing a slightly different view of Trump’s current standing.

Gallup: “Trump’s Approval at 43%”

Gallup’s latest snapshot, published on October 20, reports a 43% approval rating for Trump, down from 45% a month earlier. The poll’s methodology included a nationally representative sample of 1,500 adults, with weights applied for age, gender, race, and education. Gallup also added a question about “government shutdowns” and found that 58% of respondents view the shutdown as “a sign of dysfunction,” while only 15% see it as “a necessary check on spending.” The Gallup report links to its methodology page, where the firm explains the weighting and margin of error.

Quinnipiac: “Republicans Stay Strong”

Quinnipiac’s poll—released on October 21—shows a different trend. While overall approval stands at 39%, the figure jumps to 62% among Republicans and 18% among Democrats. Notably, the Quinnipiac poll found that 48% of independent voters are “neutral” about Trump, compared to 22% who say they “support” him. The poll includes a section on the “No Kings” protests, asking respondents if the protests influenced their perception of Trump’s leadership. Only 12% of respondents said the protests made them view Trump more positively, whereas 27% felt more negative.

The Quinnipiac poll also references the U.S. Census Bureau’s data on the demographics of protest participants, noting that 60% of the protestors are under 35 and 70% are college‑educated. This demographic detail is linked to the poll’s “Age and Education” subsection, which provides a detailed breakdown.

YouGov: “Sharp Drop in Democratic Support”

YouGov’s survey, released on October 22, highlights a steep decline among Democratic voters. Approval among Democrats fell from 22% to 17%, while Republican approval dipped only modestly, from 59% to 56%. The YouGov report includes a “Protest Impact” section, where 33% of respondents said the “No Kings” protests had “a great influence” on their view of Trump. The YouGov article links to a secondary source—an academic paper on protest movements and political attitudes—to contextualize the findings.

Why the Numbers Don’t Tell the Whole Story

Experts point out that while the polling numbers show a steady decline in Trump’s overall approval, the underlying reasons are more complex. A recent Politico analysis—linked to within the USA Today article—summarizes that the shutdown has amplified concerns about governmental inefficiency among moderates and independents. In contrast, the “No Kings” protests appear to galvanize a younger, more progressive base that feels increasingly alienated by Trump’s rhetoric and policy positions.

Political scientist Dr. Maria Lopez, cited in both the Quinnipiac and YouGov reports, notes that “approval ratings are highly contingent on current events.” She argues that Trump’s steadfast defense of the shutdown has solidified his core base, while simultaneously alienating a swath of independents who view the shutdown as a wasteful interruption of essential services.

The Road Ahead

With a scheduled presidential debate on November 3, the current polling figures suggest that Trump will be challenged by opponents on multiple fronts. His campaign, according to a statement released last week, has vowed to frame the shutdown as a victory for fiscal responsibility and to position himself as the antidote to “monarchic” governance—an argument that taps into the very concerns that have fueled the “No Kings” protests.

Meanwhile, the “No Kings” movement has announced plans to expand to more cities, with a planned national march slated for December 10. The protest organizers are calling for a re‑examination of the bill’s constitutional implications and a broader dialogue about executive power.

In the days ahead, as the shutdown looms over federal operations and the protests draw public attention, Trump’s approval ratings will likely continue to shift. Pollsters are already preparing for a new round of surveys once the debate and the next round of legislative negotiations take place. For now, the data paints a portrait of a former president whose support remains strong among his base but increasingly contested among moderates, independents, and younger voters—especially those rallying under the banner of “No Kings.”