Why Trump is Underwater
Most North Carolina voters have a negative view of Donald Trump just one year after he returned to the White House.
“Despite winning the state narrowly three times, Donald Trump is underwater with a solid majority of voters in North Carolina,” writes Stephen Clermont of Change Research, who conducted our recent statewide poll. (Read more about the poll – and examine the results – here.)
By 55-39%, voters view him unfavorably. By 55-42%, they disapprove of the job he’s doing
Stephen added, “He is deeply unpopular with Independents. His strong rating with Republicans is the only thing keeping him out of the abyss.”
Independents view him unfavorably by 74-11%. Over 80% of Republicans approve of him, but 97% of Democrats don’t.
Stephen isolated a key group of “movable” voters – about 27% of the electorate, who tend to be younger, conservative, tilt Republican and who narrowly favored Trump over Kamala Harris.
By 66-19%, those movable – or persuadable – voters now oppose him.
Why?
Stephen found, “Outside of immigration, the military, and the stock market, majorities do not see the administration making progress on solving the nation’s challenges. This is especially true on costs (such as groceries, health care, and housing).”
Also, “Trump is most vulnerable to attacks on his corruption and prioritizing himself and the wealthy over the people.”
By 56-38%, voters said Trump is “focused primarily on himself” rather than “people like you.”
By 55-38%, they see him as “a fighter for big corporations” rather than for working people.
Trump’s tariffs – which the U.S. Supreme Court derailed last week – are hurting him.
A majority of voters (56%), and even more movable voters (66%), believe costs have gone up as a result of Trump’s tariffs and do not believe the tariffs will bring manufacturing jobs back to North Carolina.
Also:
- By 66-30%, women are negative toward Trump. Men are just barely positive: 49-46%.
- The younger the voter, the more negative they’re likely to be. Voters aged 18-34 are 75-17 negative toward Trump; those 35-49 are 61-30 negative. Only voters 50 and older are more positive than negative toward him.
- Majorities say he’s “corrupt” (55%), shows “signs of age and mental decline” (53%), is “a promise breaker” (51%) and “rarely tells the truth” (51%).
These are promising numbers for Democrats in 2026.
Trump may drag Republicans into a mid-term abyss.
Why Trump is Underwater
Most North Carolina voters have a negative view of Donald Trump just one year after he returned to the White House.
“Despite winning the state narrowly three times, Donald Trump is underwater with a solid majority of voters in North Carolina,” writes Stephen Clermont of Change Research, who conducted our recent statewide poll. (Read more about the poll – and examine the results – here.)
By 55-39%, voters view him unfavorably. By 55-42%, they disapprove of the job he’s doing
Stephen added, “He is deeply unpopular with Independents. His strong rating with Republicans is the only thing keeping him out of the abyss.”
Independents view him unfavorably by 74-11%. Over 80% of Republicans approve of him, but 97% of Democrats don’t.
Stephen isolated a key group of “movable” voters – about 27% of the electorate, who tend to be younger, conservative, tilt Republican and who narrowly favored Trump over Kamala Harris.
By 66-19%, those movable – or persuadable – voters now oppose him.
Why?
Stephen found, “Outside of immigration, the military, and the stock market, majorities do not see the administration making progress on solving the nation’s challenges. This is especially true on costs (such as groceries, health care, and housing).”
Also, “Trump is most vulnerable to attacks on his corruption and prioritizing himself and the wealthy over the people.”
By 56-38%, voters said Trump is “focused primarily on himself” rather than “people like you.”
By 55-38%, they see him as “a fighter for big corporations” rather than for working people.
Trump’s tariffs – which the U.S. Supreme Court derailed last week – are hurting him.
A majority of voters (56%), and even more movable voters (66%), believe costs have gone up as a result of Trump’s tariffs and do not believe the tariffs will bring manufacturing jobs back to North Carolina.
Also:
- By 66-30%, women are negative toward Trump. Men are just barely positive: 49-46%.
- The younger the voter, the more negative they’re likely to be. Voters aged 18-34 are 75-17 negative toward Trump; those 35-49 are 61-30 negative. Only voters 50 and older are more positive than negative toward him.
- Majorities say he’s “corrupt” (55%), shows “signs of age and mental decline” (53%), is “a promise breaker” (51%) and “rarely tells the truth” (51%).
These are promising numbers for Democrats in 2026.
Trump may drag Republicans into a mid-term abyss.