The Majority Turns on Trump: Support Shrinks, Protests Grow

Donald Trump is flopping.

Three months into his second term, his poll numbers have plummeted to historic lows. A growing majority of Americans — 55% — disapprove of his presidency. In one poll, a whopping 45% gave him an “F” grade. Voters give him devastatingly low marks on issues like the economy and immigration. Another poll shows that 52% of Americans see Trump as a “dangerous dictator” who is overstepping his presidential authority.

The bad news: As Trump becomes more unpopular, he escalates his authoritarian tactics. With every passing day, he commits shocking new acts — abducting people and sending them to concentration camps in El Salvador, arresting judges, shredding the Constitution, pushing the economy toward recession, and threatening to stay in office for an illegal third term.

Ordinarily, a president faced with disastrous public opinion polls would seek to correct the course. But Trump is acting like a man who does not plan to be held accountable.

Our nation is at a crossroads. Americans disapprove of his authoritarian regime, but Trump’s declining political fortunes could make him even more dangerous. Trump now faces the most perilous decision of his political career. Will he continue to push his fascist policies on an unwilling American public? Or will he back down and seek to improve public opinion of his presidency? My guess is that Trump will double down on fascism and drive his poll numbers even lower.

But here’s where our hope — and our power — emerge.

Trump is rapidly losing credibility and legitimacy. The majority of voters now see him for what he is — a dangerous and desperate man who is weakening our nation, leading us into economic disaster, and threatening the health and well-being of our families.

His slumping approval ratings matter — a lot. Earlier this year, I wrote about the power of social proof. It’s a principle of social psychology that says people are greatly affected by the beliefs and behavior of others. When most people hold a particular opinion, it persuasively affects the undecided. We’re seeing that shift now.

Every time a poll shows the majority disapproving, every time millions of Americans attend a public protest, every time institutions resist the president's unlawful bullying — that’s social proof in action. Trump is in a downward spiral. Just wait until Americans feel the full brunt of his disastrous economic policies.

A few months in, Trump is already a loser at the polls, and it will likely get even worse. Historically, voters punish the sitting president’s party in the midterm elections. In 2018, voters rebuked Trump by handing the House of Representatives to the Democratic Party.

So, while Trump continues his awkward efforts to control the narrative — Alcatraz! Movie tariffs! — let’s keep a steely focus on his main vulnerability: sinking popularity. Trump 2 is bombing at the box office, and that matters more than ever.

History shows that when authoritarian regimes collapse, it’s not usually because of a single heroic act — it’s because the center of public belief shifts. It happens when the majority stops pretending the emperor has clothes, when people stop complying, and when the quiet many become a visible, vocal force. And that visible opposition has a powerfully persuasive effect on others.

The more people understand how unpopular this administration is, the more unpopular it will likely become. The more visible the majority becomes, the more powerful it gets. And that’s where our opportunity lies: not just in elections but in a rising wave of civic courage — one that’s already begun.

So, here’s an idea: Use social proof against this fascist regime. Every time a terrible new poll comes out, share it with everyone you know. Email it to friends and family, tell your neighbors, post it on social media. Spread the word: Trump is unpopular! The American majority opposes Trump and considers him a loser.

Trump’s power depends on the illusion of popularity and support. Strip away that illusion, and all that’s left is a desperate man clinging to authority and digging a deeper hole for himself and his party. That’s why being loud, visible, and united is important. When people see a majority standing up, they’re more likely to stand up, too.

Social proof isn’t just a theory. It’s a weapon. Together, we can use it to show the nation, and the world, that the American majority will choose democracy over dictatorship, truth over lies, and courage over fear.

The louder and more visible we get, the smaller Trump and his cronies become. And that’s how we win in the end.