President Donald Trump is encountering an unexpected political hurdle as new polling suggests a decline in support among Americans without college degrees—voters who have traditionally formed a key part of his base.
According to a survey released Thursday by Quantus Insights, Trump’s approval rating among non-college-educated voters has slipped over the past three months. The shift comes at a time when many Americans remain deeply concerned about the cost of living, inflation, and overall economic stability.
For years, education level has been one of the strongest predictors of voting behavior in national elections. In the 2024 presidential race, states with lower percentages of college graduates overwhelmingly supported Trump, while states with higher levels of college-educated voters leaned toward then-Vice President Kamala Harris. Exit polls showed that college graduates made up about 43 percent of the electorate, with a majority backing Harris—highlighting a sharp education divide across the country.
That divide was openly acknowledged after the election by Senator Bernie Sanders, who argued that Democrats had lost touch with working-class Americans. Many voters without college degrees shifted toward Trump after feeling ignored by political elites, cultural institutions, and corporate media.
However, the latest polling indicates frustration may now be growing even among those voters.
An Emerson College Polling survey found that 41 percent of Americans approve of Trump’s job performance, while 50 percent disapprove. Similarly, the Quantus Insights poll conducted December 15–16 shows 44 percent approval and 53 percent disapproval nationwide.
The numbers reflect a gradual decline. In October, Quantus reported 47 percent approval. By November, approval fell to 43 percent, with disapproval climbing to 55 percent.
Among non-college-educated voters specifically, the change is notable. In October, Trump held a narrow net positive rating with this group. By December, approval among voters with a high school diploma or less dropped to 46 percent, while 49 percent disapproved and 5 percent said they were unsure.
The White House has strongly pushed back on the idea that the president is responsible for current economic frustrations.
White House spokesman Kush Desai has repeatedly stated that Trump inherited a severe inflation crisis from the Biden administration and has since taken decisive action to slow price increases. Administration officials point to declining inflation rates, expanded energy production, tax relief, and deregulation as signs that the economy is stabilizing.
Trump echoed that message in a December 11 Truth Social post, saying affordability was “a disaster” when he took office but has improved significantly since. He cited lower energy prices, record stock market performance, and increased tariff revenue as evidence that economic conditions are moving in the right direction.
Despite those indicators, critics argue that many Americans—especially retirees and working families—have not yet felt enough relief in their everyday expenses. Rising grocery bills, insurance costs, and housing prices continue to shape voter sentiment, regardless of broader economic data.
With midterm elections approaching, Democrats view Trump’s polling softness as an opportunity to regain ground with working-class voters. Whether that effort succeeds may depend on how quickly Americans experience real, noticeable financial relief.
For Trump, the challenge may not be policy alone—but persuading voters that economic improvement is real, lasting, and directly benefiting their lives.