A fresh AP-NORC survey reveals only 70% of Democrats view their party favorably, down from 85% before Trump's 2024 victory. The decline persists despite recent Democratic victories in special elections across the country.
Recent special election victories haven’t lifted Democratic spirits, as a fresh survey from The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research shows party members remain discouraged following President Donald Trump’s 2024 election triumph.
The polling data reveals that roughly 70% of Democratic Party members maintain a favorable opinion of their organization. Though most Democrats continue supporting their party, this represents a significant drop from previous levels of enthusiasm.
With midterm elections still months ahead, weak approval ratings don’t necessarily predict electoral failure. Democrats may benefit from other circumstances this year, particularly widespread negative opinions about Trump and Republican officials.
However, this enthusiasm gap could create lasting challenges for the party. Democratic support for their own organization crashed following the 2024 election results. Even after decisive November victories in off-year races and subsequent electoral successes, member confidence hasn’t rebounded.
Environmental and health advocacy organizations filed a federal lawsuit Wednesday against the Environmental Protection Agency, contesting the agency’s decision to eliminate a key scientific determination that has served as the foundation for U.S. greenhouse gas regulations and climate change efforts.
Last week’s finalized regulation eliminates a 2009 government declaration called the endangerment finding, which established that carbon dioxide and additional greenhouse gases pose risks to public health and safety. This Obama administration determination supports virtually all climate-related regulations under Clean Air Act provisions covering automobiles, power facilities, and other sources contributing to planetary warming.
EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin described the endangerment finding as federal regulatory excess, while lawsuit supporters argue it provided reasonable protections to reduce climate pollution from vehicles and other sources.
The sleek black-and-white strapless dress came from her regular fashion designer and stylist, Herve Pierre, whose design and fitting process appears in “Melania,” her recently launched documentary.
Trump plans to donate the dress to the Smithsonian Institution’s National Museum of American History on Friday, White House officials announced. The museum operates a well-known first ladies exhibition displaying over two dozen of their formal gowns.
This marks Trump’s second contribution to the collection. In 2017, she donated the cream-colored off-the-shoulder dress from that year’s inaugural celebrations, also created by Pierre.
Even with internal party dissatisfaction, Democrats maintain at least one possible edge heading into midterm election season.
Approximately 35% of American adults trust Democrats to better manage healthcare issues, while only 23% prefer Republicans on this topic.
Meanwhile, Republicans have seen their standing decline on issues central to Trump’s reelection success — economic policy and immigration — though Democrats haven’t gained ground in these areas.
Just 31% of Americans now trust Republicans with economic management, dropping from 36% the previous year. Democrats haven’t improved their economic credibility; instead, more Americans now say they trust “neither” party.
The dissatisfaction extends beyond Democrats — Americans currently express lukewarm feelings toward both major parties.
Roughly one-third of U.S. adults view either the Democratic or Republican Party positively, the AP-NORC survey found. About 25% of Americans dislike both organizations, with this dual negativity particularly pronounced among independent voters and those under 45.
Democratic popularity decline appears more recent. Gallup polling spanning 25 years indicates Americans previously held much more positive views of Democrats. Public opinion shifted against them around 2010, and since then, at least half of Americans have maintained unfavorable party views.
Current negative Democratic perceptions match the Republican Party’s lowest historical approval periods.
Democratic enthusiasm for their organization dropped after Trump secured the presidency in 2024. Despite multiple recent special election victories, polling indicates party morale remains depressed.
Fresh AP-NORC data confirms that 70% of Democratic Party members maintain positive party views. While most Democrats still support their organization, current enthusiasm levels fall well below historical standards.
Democratic self-approval collapsed following the 2024 election, tumbling from 85% in September 2024 to 67% by October 2025.