Donald Trump's approval rating plunges with baby boomers

President Donald Trump’s approval rating among baby boomers has dropped sharply in recent months, according to new polling.

The latest HarrisX data shows Trump’s support among voters aged over 65 slipping from 47 percent approval and 52 percent disapproval in July to 43 percent approval and 56 percent disapproval in September- a 13-point net decline over two months.

That pessimism extends across nearly every measure. According to YouGov, 44 percent now describe the economy as “poor,” up 9 points in a month, and 57 percent say the economy is getting worse. Just 15 percent say they are better off financially than a year ago, while only 17 percent expect improvement in the next 12 months. Nearly 70 percent report stagnant pay, and 56 percent say they’ve saved less than last year—more than any other age group.

Additionally, 77 percent of boomers expect prices to rise in the next 12 months, and 70 percent believe the gap between rich and poor is widening.

That comes as nearly half of older American workers are approaching retirement without enough savings to maintain their standard of living—or in some cases, to stay above the poverty line. According to the Economic Policy Institute (EPI), “nearly half of older Americans are financially unready for retirement,” with many lacking any meaningful savings or private pension coverage. The group warns that millions of workers in their late 50s and early 60s are “on the precipice of poverty” as they near the end of their working lives.

“Trump’s weakening support among voters over 65 reflects growing economic anxiety, as nearly half of older workers approach retirement without enough savings to maintain their standard of living or even stay above the poverty line,” Teresa Ghilarducci, a labor economist at the New School, told Newsweek.

She added that the political backlash among older voters is rooted in fear and frustration. “With retirement insecurity spreading up the income scale and Social Security facing automatic cuts in 2032, seniors’ disapproval signals deep frustration that the system no longer protects them from economic precarity.”

Social Security Cuts Fuel Growing Backlash

The broader U.S. economy rebounded at a 3.8 percent annualized rate in the second quarter of 2025 after contracting earlier in the year, according to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis. But the Federal Reserve Bank of Philadelphia forecasts much slower growth—around 1.7 percent for the full year.

That economic strain has been compounded by the administration’s overhaul of Social Security, which provides benefits to nearly nine in 10 Americans aged 65 and older. Staffing reductions of about 12 percent and the closure of six in 10 regional offices have caused widespread delays, leaving seniors struggling to access services.

Additionally, Social Security is projected to face automatic benefit cuts as soon as 2032, according to recent nonpartisan analyses, unless Congress acts to shore up the program’s finances. The system’s trust funds—made up of the Old-Age and Survivors Insurance (OASI) and Disability Insurance (DI) reserves—are expected to run short of money within the decade, largely because the program pays out more in benefits than it collects in payroll taxes.

For this reason, Ghilarducci said she is “not surprised that the older Boomer demographic is catching on that Trump is not leading the way to get more revenue into Social Security and is advocating cutting programs that directly benefit them.”

Ghilarducci called February’s wave of Social Security office closures “a wake-up call,” describing it as a chaotic episode that left many retirees unable to reach regional offices or file claims. “Trump ‘Elon Musked’ the SSA,” she said, referring to sweeping layoffs and restructuring. “His cuts and field office closures triggered fears that the safety net for retirees is being dismantled.”

Meanwhile, the Trump administration is reportedly preparing to change how the Social Security Administration determines disability eligibility, potentially by reducing or eliminating age as a factor, according to The Washington Post. Under the proposed changes, the age threshold could rise from 50 to 60, or be removed entirely—a move that could make it harder for older Americans to qualify for benefits.

The White House denies that any such overhaul is planned. Deputy press secretary Kush Desai told Newsweek that “President Trump will always protect and defend Social Security for American citizens,” adding that the only change has been the “working families tax cut legislation” that eliminated taxation on most Social Security benefits.

Still, a May YouGov/Economist poll put Trump’s net approval rating on Social Security at -8 among boomers.

“Our focus groups indicated widespread fear and a lack of trust in the reliability of Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid under his agenda,” Ghilarducci said. “Seniors increasingly see him as less reliable on the core issue of retirement security, making the 13-point drop in approval among over-65 voters unsurprising.”

Shutdown Fallout Adds to Seniors’ Frustration

The ongoing government shutdown is also taking a toll—and could soon affect Social Security operations. The federal government shut down last week after Congress failed to break a funding deadlock, largely over whether to extend Affordable Care Act subsidies.

While Social Security payments continue during shutdowns, the agency operates with severely reduced staff numbers, providing only essential services. Field offices stay open, but focus on critical cases such as lost or stolen checks, while processing new claims, appeals, and card replacements slows.

These disruptions can have serious consequences for older Americans. Long wait times, office closures, and backlogs can leave seniors unable to access benefits for months.

According to the latest YouGov poll, 53 percent of boomers disapprove of Trump’s handling of the shutdown, and 46 percent blame him and congressional Republicans for the disruption. Forty-two percent say they will be personally affected.

Health Care Cuts Threaten Seniors’ Safety Net

Health care has also become a growing flashpoint. Trump’s “one big, beautiful bill,” which passed the House, would restrict Medicare access for many documented immigrants and reduce Medicaid enrollment by more than 10 million people—cuts that could make long-term care more expensive for millions of seniors.

Because Medicaid funds more than half of all U.S. long-term care, older Americans face higher costs and fewer options for nursing or at-home assistance. Immigration restrictions have further thinned the caregiving workforce, pushing wages and service costs higher.

“Trump’s push to slash Medicaid, with agreement from his party in Congress, shrinks eligibility and generosity, shifting long-term care costs onto older Americans and their families,” Ghilarducci said. “Seniors know Medicaid is their backstop for long-term care, and Trump’s cuts put that safety net in jeopardy.”

At the same time, federal funding cuts to Alzheimer’s and dementia research have forced programs—including the University of Washington’s Memory and Brain Wellness Center—to limit new patients, potentially delaying breakthroughs that aging boomers depend on.

The latest YouGov/Economist polling shows Trump’s approval on health care among baby boomers stands at -13 points.

Source: Newsweek

Update 10/09/25 11:35 a.m. ET: This story was updated with comment from Ghilarducci.