CNN: Donald Trump is collapsing with independents. His net approval among independents Last year: -13 & Now: -47 That’s his WORST showing with independents in either term. He’s losing the middle. And once you lose independents, you lose elections.

Washington, D.C. — A new CNN/SSRS poll released Monday reveals a sharp decline in President Donald Trump’s standing among independent voters, just one day before his State of the Union address.

The survey shows Trump’s approval rating among independents has plummeted to 26%, with 73% disapproving — resulting in a net approval of -47 points. This marks a dramatic drop from approximately -13 net last year (when approval hovered around 41% in February 2025 polling), and represents his worst performance with this key demographic across both terms in office.

Overall, Trump’s job approval stands at 36%, with 63% disapproving — an 11- to 12-point slide from last February’s 47-48% mark. The poll highlights broad erosion, including steep declines among Latinos (down 19 points), young voters under 45 (down 18 points), and even some working-class groups.

Only 32% of Americans say Trump has focused on the country’s most pressing problems, while 68% believe he has not. A majority (61%) say his policies are moving the nation in the wrong direction.

CNN analysts noted the independent voter shift as particularly alarming for Republicans heading into the 2026 midterms, as this bloc — often pragmatic and swing-oriented — has historically decided close elections.

Trump’s net approval with independents now sits at record lows in CNN tracking, underscoring growing dissatisfaction amid ongoing policy debates and economic concerns.

The White House has downplayed the findings, emphasizing upcoming economic messaging in the State of the Union. However, the numbers add pressure as Trump prepares to address a divided public Tuesday night. The poll, conducted February 17-20 among 2,496 U.S. adults, carries a margin of error of ±2.5%.