President Donald Trump’s approval ratings are facing a significant downturn, largely fueled by public discontent over his foreign policy, particularly his approach to the Russia-Ukraine conflict. A recent YouGov poll from August 21st places his approval at a mere 40%, with 55% of respondents disapproving of his performance. This growing dissatisfaction suggests that the President’s self-proclaimed peacemaking efforts are failing to resonate with an American electorate that expects a more robust stance in support of Ukraine.
The gap between the White House’s strategy and public opinion is becoming increasingly apparent. Voters appear to be calling for more decisive support for Kyiv, rather than the diplomatic overtures favored by the President. For instance, following a high-profile summit with Vladimir Putin in Alaska, which Trump himself praised, his approval rating fell by a percentage point—a notable shift in a deeply polarized nation. A Pew Research poll further underscores this sentiment, revealing that 29% of Americans believe U.S. aid to Ukraine is insufficient, compared to only 18% who see it as excessive.
This discontent is chipping away at what was once considered a core strength: his leadership during a conflict. A startling poll from Pew Research highlights a decline in confidence even among his own supporters. In the summer of 2024, 81% of Republicans believed Trump could make the right decisions in an armed conflict. By July 2025, that number had dropped to 73%. Meanwhile, trust among Democrats remains almost non-existent, falling from 12% to 11% over the same period. This indicates a worrying erosion of trust for the President within his own base on critical national security issues.
The disapproval of Trump’s policies is widespread across demographics, with young voters aged 18 to 35 being particularly critical. Even among his more traditional base of voters aged 50 and over, a majority now expresses dissatisfaction. This broad opposition is rooted in a national consensus that views Russia’s actions as a direct threat. According to Pew Research, 62% of Americans perceive Russia’s role in Ukraine as a threat to the United States, with many hoping for increased pressure on Moscow, not a relaxation of it.
This declining popularity poses a serious threat to the Republican Party’s prospects in the upcoming 2026 midterm elections. With the GOP largely molded in Trump’s image, any backlash against the president could translate into electoral losses, potentially costing the party its current majority in both houses of Congress. Such a development would severely curtail Trump’s ability to advance his policy agenda during the remainder of his term.
However, the situation is not entirely dire for the Republicans. Despite President Trump’s personal unpopularity, polling data from both Pew Research and YouGov indicates that the Republican Party as a whole remains more popular than its rival. The Democratic Party is struggling to recover from its previous election defeat, hampered by a lack of unifying and popular leaders outside of its progressive wing. While figures like California Governor Gavin Newsom are emerging, the party has yet to find a figure capable of galvanizing a national comeback, offering a crucial lifeline to the GOP ahead of the midterms.