Gallup poll: Democratic support grows as Republican identification slips
New Gallup data shows 49% of voters lean Democrat versus 39% leaning Republican, the widest Democratic advantage since 2008, amid falling approval for President Trump.
The latest quarterly Gallup survey shows a growing number of American voters aligning with the Democratic Party, while identification with Republicans continues to weaken. When independents were asked to pick a side, 49% leaned Democrat compared with 39% who leaned Republican.
That 10-point gap represents a dramatic shift from late 2024, when Republicans held a four-point edge just as Donald Trump won back the presidency and the party took control of both chambers of Congress. According to the New York Times, this is the largest Democratic advantage recorded since 2008, the year Barack Obama was elected.
The figures add to signs that Trump's second term is losing favor with the public, potentially fueling a political backlash. Trump's approval rating stood at 52% around his January 2025 inauguration but has since fallen sharply. Contributing factors cited include cuts to the federal workforce, tariffs that pushed up prices, a costly spending bill, and an unclear military conflict with Iran. Current polling puts his disapproval at 58%, with only 38% approving of his performance.
Democrats hope to capitalize on the president's declining popularity. Forecasts suggest liberals are well-positioned to reclaim the US House of Representatives in November's midterm elections, though retaking the Senate remains far less certain, despite polling trends that offer Democrats some optimism.
At the same time, a growing share of voters reject affiliation with either major party. Back in 2002, roughly equal thirds of voters identified as Republican, Democrat or independent. Last year, 45% called themselves independents, while only 27% identified with either of the two main parties.
