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It’s no exaggeration to say that most Americans are extremely unhappy with Donald Trump and the Republican Party. Voters hold Trump responsible for what might be called the “affordability crisis.” And the Epstein saga shows no sign of loosening its grip on the discourse. Deep and broad discontent is plain to see across several recent polls.
Throughout the summer and fall, Democrats have been gaining on the generic ballot across multiple surveys. This week, those gains are starting to look like insurmountable leads.
NPR/PBS/Marist findings released Wednesday show Democrats up 55–41. Among independents, Democrats lead by an astounding 33 points. A 14-point advantage overall would overcome any redistricting hijinks and put solid red congressional districts within reach for Democratic hopefuls.
In the most recent Reuters/Ipsos poll, Trump’s approval is at a new low—just 38%. The negative trend among Republicans has accelerated this month. Ipsos found that in early November, 87% of Republicans (already a remarkably low number) approved of Trump; this week, that number has slipped by 5 points.
.Republicans’ dismal electoral prospects—and their growing disdain for Trump—are no mystery given the economic pain Americans are experiencing.
A Fox News poll this week found that three-quarters of Americans say the economy is either “not so good” or “poor,” while 60% say their personal financial outlook is poor. A plurality of Americans say Trump’s economic policies have hurt the economy, while only 15% say they have helped. And two-thirds of Americans put the responsibility directly on Trump.
The crisis at the cash register is one thing, but combined with the still-boiling Epstein scandal, the Trump administration is crumbling. Nearly two-thirds of Americans disapprove of Trump’s handling of the issue, according to the Reuters/Ipsos poll. The battle over the Epstein files release has been especially damaging to Trump and has critically endangered the MAGA movement, with a full third of Republicans disapproving of his handling of the matter.
A vast majority—70%!—say the government is hiding the client list, and two-thirds say the government is hiding information about Epstein’s death.
The affordability crisis isn’t going away. The Epstein files aren’t going away. Trump will never be anything but destabilizing and thuggish. He will only add to his own woes and those of Republican leadership.
Next November is no sure thing for Democrats, but my guess is that House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) and Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-S.D.) are having nightmares about Election Day 2026.
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