Poll Shock: 71% of Americans Say U.S. Is ‘Out of Control’ Under Trump, Raising Red Flags for 2026 Midterms

More than seven in ten Americans believe the country is “out of control” under President Donald Trump, according to a new national Economist/YouGov poll, adding to growing evidence of voter unease ahead of the 2026 midterm elections.

The survey found that 71 percent of U.S. adults said the nation is out of control, compared with just 18 percent who believe it is under control. Another 11 percent said they were unsure. The sentiment cut across nearly every demographic group, including 70 percent of white respondents, 79 percent of Black respondents and 70 percent of Hispanic respondents.

The poll, conducted January 16–19 among 1,722 adult citizens, has a margin of error of plus or minus 3.2 percentage points. It showed particularly strong concern among younger voters (70 percent of those aged 18–29) and older Americans (74 percent of those 65 and older).

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Even among Republicans, the results were mixed for the president. Fifty percent of GOP respondents said the country is out of control, compared with 38 percent who said it is under control. Among 2024 voters, 91 percent of Kamala Harris voters said the country is out of control, compared with 50 percent of Trump voters.

The findings align with other recent surveys suggesting growing discomfort with Trump’s approach to governing, especially on foreign policy. A separate AP-NORC poll conducted earlier in January found that 56 percent of Americans believe Trump has “gone too far” in deploying U.S. forces abroad, while 57 percent disapproved of his handling of Venezuela.

Another Quinnipiac University poll found that 70 percent of voters believe presidents should be required to seek congressional approval before launching military action against another country, underscoring broad public support for limits on executive war powers.

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Taken together, the polling paints a picture of widespread anxiety about the country’s direction and a strong desire for greater stability and oversight. Political analysts note that such perceptions often shape turnout and voting behavior, making public mood a critical factor heading into the midterms.

The White House pushed back on the polling. Spokesperson Anna Kelly said in a previous statement that Trump has a mandate to carry out his agenda and argued that he is delivering on promises related to the economy, immigration and foreign policy, dismissing unfavorable surveys as misleading.

Still, the latest data suggest that a large majority of Americans feel the nation is on an unsteady path — a warning sign for both the administration and congressional Republicans as election season approaches.

Joseph Johnson

They say not everyone has the gift of gab to be able to talk about politics in the correct light - but Joseph is the perfect mix between a healthy critic, and a realist cynic. His unique personality works wonders at political discussions which are bound to cause a stir. He is an intellectual with many years of experience in the field, and his work is a reflection of his dedication to making political scenarios common knowledge among the citizens of the nation.