Young Americans' Approval of Congressional Democrats Drops to 23% in Poll

New polling from the Harvard Kennedy School's Institute of Politics shows a sharp decline in approval for Congressional Democrats among Americans aged 18-29, dropping from 42% in 2017 to just 23% in 2025. In contrast, approval ratings for Congressional Republicans and President Trump have remained steady over the same period, with Republicans at 29% and Trump at 31%. The data also reveal that approval among young black Americans for Trump has grown significantly, while approval for Congressional Democrats is especially low among young white and Hispanic Americans. A majority of young Democrats and independents also disapprove of Congressional Democrats' performance, reflecting broader disillusionment. These trends pose significant challenges for the Democratic Party ahead of upcoming elections, as young voters increasingly express economic and social concerns and a mounting distrust in government. Various national polls corroborate these findings, highlighting historically low confidence in Democratic leadership.