Six months in, young people have soured on Trump’s job handling — CBS News analysis

Since Donald Trump began his second term in office, there has been a noticeable decline in his job ratings, particularly among young Americans. This shift in opinion has left many wondering what has caused so many young people to change their minds about the former president.

When Trump ran for re-election in 2024, his performance with voters under 30 showed improvement compared to the 2020 election. While he still lost this demographic to Vice President Kamala Harris, the margin was much smaller. This led some observers to speculate about the increasing conservatism among Gen Z, especially young men, and whether this shift would be a lasting one.

However, in the months following Inauguration Day, a significant number of young people have reevaluated their opinion of Trump. Among Americans aged 18-29, his job approval rating has dropped from 55% shortly after he took office to 28% currently. This represents a substantial decline, with half of his previous approvers now disapproving of his performance.

Interestingly, it is the less partisan and politically engaged young voters who have seen the most significant drops in approval. Independents under 30 and those who did not vote in the 2024 election have experienced a sharp decline in their approval of Trump. While party identifiers and ’24 voters have also decreased their support, the impact is not as pronounced.

Gender differences are also apparent, with young men initially showing higher approval ratings of Trump compared to young women. However, both groups have seen a decline in their ratings over time, with young men experiencing a faster drop in recent months. This has led to a narrowing of the gender gap in approval of the former president.

Recent CBS News polling has shed light on the reasons behind the dissatisfaction among young people. A majority now believe that Trump has not fulfilled his campaign promises, a stark contrast to earlier sentiments. Economic evaluations have also played a significant role, with many young Americans expressing concerns about the state of the economy and their financial well-being under Trump’s administration.

As we look ahead to the 2026 elections, the Republican Party’s electoral success may hinge on Trump’s approval ratings and youth turnout. If his handling of the job does not improve, it could impact GOP congressional candidates. Additionally, the high turnout of young voters in recent midterm elections suggests that this demographic could once again play a crucial role in determining the outcome of future elections.

In conclusion, while Trump’s initial appeal to young voters may have been a temporary reaction to economic conditions and campaign promises, his declining approval ratings among this demographic indicate a shift in sentiment. It remains to be seen how these trends will influence future elections and the political landscape in the years to come.