Trump Approval Ratings Deeply Underwater Amid Government Shutdown

President Donald Trump's approval ratings remain significantly low, with CNN anchor Abby Phillip describing them as "deeply underwater," citing polls showing a 56 to 42 percent unfavorable score. Despite some claims that his approval has risen slightly, Phillip and other commentators highlighted that Democrats currently hold a notable advantage in generic ballot polls, reflecting broader dissatisfaction amid the ongoing government shutdown. The shutdown began due to a failure in Congress, controlled by Republicans, to pass funding legislation, causing federal worker furloughs and service disruptions, which have further dampened Trump's standing. Additionally, a recent AP-NORC poll shows only 37% of Americans approve of Trump, coinciding with widespread protests against his administration and judicial rulings temporarily halting politically motivated federal worker firings. Public sentiment indicates a pessimistic mood about the country's direction, with about 69% believing it is moving wrongly, and over 60% disapproving of Trump's performance as president. These developments underscore significant political challenges for Trump amid escalating public and institutional pushback during his current administration.