Democratic Party favorability plummets to a 34-year low as party members call for defiance against Trump rather than compromise.

At a Glance

• Democratic Party popularity hits historic low with only 27% of registered voters holding positive views in NBC News polling
• Confidence in Democratic congressional leadership has crashed to 25%, down from 34% last year
• Democratic voters have flipped their position on compromise, with 65% now wanting leaders to hold firm against Trump
• Party suffering a dramatic 41-point confidence drop among their own supporters
• Independent voters show overwhelming disapproval, with only 11% viewing Democrats positively

Historic Low for Democratic Party Favorability

The Democratic Party is facing an unprecedented crisis of public confidence according to recent polling data. The latest NBC News poll reveals that only 27% of registered voters hold positive views of the party, marking the lowest favorability rating since the poll began tracking this metric in 1990.

This dramatic collapse in public support comes after Democrats lost control of both the White House and Senate, sparking intense debate within the party about its future direction and messaging strategy. The poll indicates a majority of voters (55%) now view the Democratic Party negatively, with 38% expressing “very” negative opinions.

The situation appears especially dire among independent voters, a crucial voting bloc that has largely soured on Democrats. Only 11% of independents now hold positive views of the Democratic Party, signaling potential trouble for the party in upcoming electoral contests.

Despite these concerning numbers, the preference for congressional control remains tightly divided, with 48% favoring Democrats and 47% supporting Republicans ahead of the 2026 midterms. This razor-thin margin suggests the political environment remains competitive despite Democrats’ favorability challenges.

Confidence in Congressional Democrats hits all time low in new poll https://t.co/SInkRNAkqn

— Fox News (@FoxNews) April 18, 2025

Collapsing Confidence in Democratic Leadership

The crisis extends beyond general party favorability to specific confidence in Democratic congressional leadership. According to a new Gallup poll, confidence in Democratic leadership has plunged to 25%, significantly below their previous low of 34% recorded in 2023.

This stands in stark contrast to Republican congressional leadership, which currently enjoys 39% confidence among voters. The collapse is particularly notable among Democratic voters themselves, who have withdrawn support from their own party’s leadership in dramatic fashion.

“Democratic congressional leaders’ rating among their own party faithful has fallen 41 points since last year to their lowest point ever,” Gallup reported.

This precipitous decline in internal party confidence signals deep frustration among the Democratic base. Many party members believe their leadership has failed to effectively counter President Trump’s agenda or communicate a compelling alternative vision.

National surveys from multiple polling organizations including Quinnipiac University, CNN, and NBC News have all documented this downward trend in Democratic Party favorability, confirming that the crisis spans across different metrics and measurement methodologies.

Shifting Strategy: From Compromise to Confrontation

Perhaps most revealing is the dramatic shift in how Democratic voters view the ideal approach toward working with President Trump. In 2017, when Trump first took office, 59% of Democrats favored compromise with the administration to get things done.

That position has now completely reversed, with 65% of Democrats believing their party should stick firmly to its positions even if it results in governmental gridlock. This represents a fundamental change in the Democratic base’s appetite for bipartisanship.

The desire for a more confrontational approach stems from multiple concerns. Some Democrats believe compromise with Trump could legitimize policies they view as harmful, while others simply want their representatives to present stronger opposition and clearer alternatives.

Rep. Ro Khanna of California has advocated that Democrats must actively “take on his arguments and offer a counter to defeat them” rather than simply opposing the president. This internal debate over tactics comes as the party grapples with losses among traditional Democratic voting blocs.

The Path Forward for Democrats

The poll results present a stark reality check for Democratic leadership as they navigate their role as the opposition party. Political analysts suggest that merely opposing Trump may be insufficient to rebuild trust with voters. Instead, Democrats face pressure to articulate a clear, forward-looking agenda that addresses voters’ everyday concerns while differentiating themselves from Republicans. Some Democratic strategists have called for a complete overhaul of the party’s messaging and priorities in light of these historically poor numbers.

As Democrats look toward future electoral contests, these polling results suggest an urgent need for introspection and strategic adjustment. The unprecedented lack of confidence from their own base indicates that superficial changes may be insufficient.

Whether Democratic leadership can successfully navigate this crisis of confidence will likely determine their political fortunes in upcoming election cycles, particularly as they work to rebuild trust with core constituencies and appeal to independent voters who have largely turned away from the party.