Democrats’ Approval Rating Crashes To New Record Low

The Democratic Party’s favorability has plummeted to a historic low, according to newly released Gallup data, underscoring mounting public dissatisfaction after the 2024 election cycle.

Gallup’s latest survey shows just 34% of Americans now view the Democratic Party favorably, the lowest rating in the organization’s trend since it began tracking the question in 1992. The previous low—36%—was recorded in November 2014. This year’s collapse marks a steep drop from levels seen just months ago and signals trouble for the party’s national image.

The Republican Party, while hardly enjoying broad popularity, fares slightly better in the same poll with a 38% favorability rating.

Perhaps most alarming for Democrats is the erosion within their own ranks. Gallup found that only 73% of Democrats currently hold a favorable view of their party, a sharp fall from 87% in November 2024. By contrast, 91% of Republicans view their own party positively.

Democratic Party favorability at a RECORD low in Gallup polling pic.twitter.com/xL0hFWzR0R

— Chris Cillizza (@ChrisCillizza) August 12, 2025

Independent voters—often the deciding factor in national races—are even more skeptical. Just 27% view Democrats favorably, matching a previous low point and suggesting a deepening challenge in reaching beyond the base.

The Gallup findings are not an outlier. A recent Wall Street Journal poll reported that 63% of voters hold an unfavorable view of the Democratic Party, with only 33% holding a favorable one—a three-decade low.

The Week magazine attributed the slump to perceptions of weak leadership and declining public trust. Even so, it noted that Democrats still maintain a slight edge on a generic congressional ballot, indicating potential resilience despite the poor image.

The drop in favorability comes at a time when public confidence in Democratic leadership has cratered. Gallup’s separate measure of confidence in congressional Democratic leaders fell to just 25% earlier this year, a nine-point drop that set a new low.

The decline is part of a broader erosion of faith in major U.S. institutions, particularly among Democrats. Gallup’s tracking shows Democrats’ average confidence in nine core institutions—ranging from the Supreme Court to Congress—at just 26%. For Republicans, the figure stands at 37%, their highest since 2020.

National pride among Democrats has also slumped. Only 36% now say they are “extremely” or “very proud” to be American, one of the lowest readings Gallup has ever recorded for the group.

Historical precedent offers mixed lessons. In 2014, Democrats suffered their previous record low favorability before losing control of the Senate in the midterms. However, there have been times when low favorability ratings did not immediately translate into catastrophic electoral outcomes—particularly if the opposing party was viewed even more negatively.

Still, political analysts warn that the 2025 environment is especially volatile.

Some high-profile Democrats are already adjusting their message ahead of the next election cycle. Governors like Gavin Newsom and Josh Shapiro have been testing more centrist appeals aimed at recapturing moderate voters, while others are pushing for a sharper focus on economic messaging to win back working-class support.

But rebuilding trust won’t be easy. Analysts say the combination of declining internal enthusiasm and sustained independent skepticism could set the stage for competitive races even in traditionally blue strongholds.

Gallup’s new polling is a warning flare for Democrats: favorability is at a record low, support from core voters is slipping, and independents remain unconvinced. While Republicans are only marginally more popular, the trajectory is clear—the Democratic Party’s image problem is deep and growing.

If they fail, history suggests voters are ready to deliver a painful verdict.