New Poll Shows Trump's Approval Rating Among Independents at Lowest Point Ahead of State of the Union Address

Washington D.C. -- US President Donald Trump is set to deliver his 'State of the Union' address on Tuesday. A recent survey shows his popularity among independent voters has dropped to a new low. A new CNN poll conducted by SSRS indicates growing public doubt regarding the President's priorities and policies.

According to the survey, only 32 percent of Americans believe Trump has the right priorities. 68 percent think he has not paid enough attention to the country's important issues. This index is the most negative across both of Trump's terms. Similarly, 61 percent of respondents stated that his policies will lead the country in the wrong direction, while only 38 percent expressed confidence that it will move in the right direction.

Trump's job performance approval rating among overall adult Americans is limited to 36 percent, remaining below 40 percent since last autumn. Nearly half of the respondents expressed strong dissatisfaction with his work, while only 19 percent showed strong support. When addressing Congress last year, Trump's approval rating was 48 percent, which was the highest of his career. Since then, he has lost support across most demographic groups. Positive leanings are still visible among Republican supporters, conservative voters, and white Americans without a college education.

Specifically, Trump's support among Latino Americans has dropped by 19 points, and among voters under 45, it has declined by 18 points. His approval rating among independent voters has fallen by 15 points compared to last year, reaching 26 percent, the lowest point in both of his terms. Another worrying sign for the President is the softening within the Republican base. In the survey, strong support among Republican voters has dropped to 49 percent, significantly lower than the 64 percent recorded after last year's State of the Union address. Nearly one in three Republicans stated that Trump has not paid enough attention to the main issues. Sixteen percent said his policies will lead the country in the wrong direction.

Meanwhile, Americans want the President to primarily discuss the economy and the cost of living in his address. 57 percent of respondents indicated this issue is primary, which is four times higher than any other issue. Half of Democrats, 56 percent of independents, and 65 percent of Republicans consider the economy the primary issue.

The survey indicates a challenging political environment for the Trump administration ahead of the upcoming midterm elections. However, it is analyzed that Trump will have an opportunity to re-energize his supporters, as the audience for the 'State of the Union' address often consists mostly of the President's backers.