Democrats are growing increasingly discouraged about the direction of their party, according to a new AP-NORC poll released six months after Donald Trump returned to the presidency.
Only about one in three Democrats now say they feel optimistic about the party’s future — a steep drop from last July, when nearly 60% felt hopeful. Many cite a lack of strong leadership and frustration over how little is being done to counter Trump’s influence.
“I’m not real high on Democrats right now,” said Damien Williams, a 48-year-old Teamsters member from Illinois. “They’re not doing enough to push back.”
The poll also found that overall, neither major party is viewed favorably by a majority of Americans. About 40% of adults have a positive opinion of the GOP, while support for Democrats is even lower, at roughly one-third.
Within the Democratic Party, Senator Bernie Sanders remains the most popular figure, with about three-quarters of Democrats viewing him favorably. Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez is backed by about half, but Senate leader Chuck Schumer’s support has dropped significantly since late 2024.
On the Republican side, Secretary of State Marco Rubio leads in popularity among GOP voters, followed by House Speaker Mike Johnson and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth — though their appeal is much lower among the general public.
Republicans appear slightly more upbeat about their party’s direction than last year, with 55% expressing optimism, up from 47%. But trust in the overall political system remains weak. Just 3 in 10 Republicans say they’re optimistic about U.S. politics — better than last year’s 1 in 10, but still low.
The poll also revealed broader doubts about how political leaders are selected. A majority of Democrats (55%) said they don’t trust the current system — pointing to gerrymandering and the Electoral College as key concerns.
“I think the system worked in the past, but it doesn’t now,” said Linda Sleet, a retiree from Florida.
The AP-NORC poll was conducted May 1–5, 2025, with 1,175 U.S. adults.
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