The latest national NBC News poll shows that the Democratic Party has hit an all-time low in popularity as it navigates the aftermath of a tough defeat to President Donald Trump. Just over a quarter of registered voters (27%) have positive views of the party, marking its lowest rating in NBC News polling since 1990. Democratic pollster Jeff Horwitt of Hart Research Associates emphasized the need for a reboot rather than a rebrand based on these numbers, alongside GOP pollster Bill McInturff of Public Opinion Strategies. The decline in ratings is partly attributed to disillusioned Democrats following the 2024 loss to Trump. There is a shift in sentiment among self-identified Democratic voters, with a preference for maintaining their positions even if it leads to gridlock over seeking compromise with the president. This sentiment is evident in recent actions by Senate Democrats, like Minority Leader Chuck Schumer’s alignment with Republicans on a spending bill, drawing criticism from within the party. The poll also reveals a reversal in the desire for compromise with Trump, as more Democrats now prioritize holding the line on their policies, even at the expense of bipartisan progress. Concerns about the state of democracy and the urgency to resist controversial policies drive some Democrats to advocate for a more assertive stance from their party. The sentiment among these voters is geared towards pushing back against Republican initiatives rather than expecting major victories while in the minority in Congress.
Mary Font, a 46-year-old combat veteran from California, expressed her hope that preventive measures would be taken to avoid destructive events. Meanwhile, Jason Howard, a 40-year-old data analyst from Florida, suggested that in order to achieve legislative victories, compromises may need to be made with the conservative party. He emphasized the importance of approaching negotiations with a spirit of give and take to move forward.
When speaking with NBC News, Howard underscored the potential negative impact of a government shutdown on the economy and urged Senate Democrats to vote to keep the government operational. However, other Democrats insisted on holding the line, even if it meant risking a shutdown.
The survey conducted from March 7-11 revealed a division among Democrats in Congress regarding whether to support a GOP-authored funding bill they dislike or block it, leading to a government shutdown. Ultimately, 10 Senate Democrats, including Schumer, agreed to pass the funding measure with Republican votes despite opposition from House Democrats and some Democratic voters.
The decision to advance the funding measure was criticized by some Democrats, such as Kosloske from New York, who felt that the party was not effectively countering Trump’s agenda. The NBC News poll indicated that there is no clear consensus among Democratic voters on whether to stand firm or seek compromise.
Howard called for a more assertive approach from congressional Democrats, urging them to be vocal in promoting ideas and legislation. He expressed disappointment in what he perceived as passive resistance from the party.
As Democrats seek stronger opposition to Trump, the party’s popularity has declined, with a majority of voters expressing negative views. Similarly, the Republican Party also faces a net-negative image among voters.
Despite a decline in popularity, the GOP can find solace in holding the White House and Congress. The drop in the Democratic Party’s image, particularly among independent voters, serves as a warning sign for the party as it looks to regroup in the face of the new Trump administration. The poll indicates that only 11% of independent voters have positive views of the Democrats, while 56% hold negative views. Additionally, nearly 20% of Democratic voters and 10% of Republicans have negative opinions of their respective parties. A quarter of liberals view the Democratic Party unfavorably, which is double the share of conservatives who view the GOP negatively. Despite these challenges, the Democratic Party’s current low in positive sentiment is still slightly higher than the Republican Party’s lowest-ever rating in October 2013. Looking ahead to the 2026 midterms, the NBC News poll shows a close battle for control of Congress, with 48% supporting Democratic control and 47% backing Republicans. The poll also reveals differing views on how congressional Democrats and Republicans have handled Trump, with 53% feeling Republicans have been too supportive and 50% believing Democrats have been too critical. The survey was conducted among 1,000 registered voters through telephone interviews and online surveys, with a margin of error of plus or minus 3.1 percentage points.
