The Left is crumbling. And the bad news just keeps coming.
Now a sobering test result put the Democrat Party on the backfoot.
Democrats Grapple with Declining Confidence
A recent poll conducted by the Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research from May 1-5, 2025, highlights a sharp decline in Democratic voter optimism, with only one-third of Democrats feeling “very” or “somewhat” optimistic about their party’s future.
This marks a significant drop from nearly 60% in July 2024, reflecting the fallout from the party’s substantial losses in the November 2024 elections, where Democrats ceded control of the White House and both chambers of Congress.
The findings underscore challenges for Democrats as they navigate internal divisions and a shifting political landscape, contrasting with the robust leadership of President Donald Trump and the GOP.
Monica Brown, a 61-year-old Democrat from Tennessee, voiced frustration with the party’s direction, stating, “I just feel like the majority of the old Democratic Party needs to go. They’re not in tune with the new generation. They’re not in tune with the new world. We’ve got such division within the party.”
Her sentiment captures a broader unease among Democrats, who are struggling to redefine their identity in the face of GOP dominance under Trump’s agenda.
GOP Surges as Democrats Falter
In stark contrast, Republican voters are riding a wave of confidence, with 55% expressing optimism about the GOP’s future, up from 47% in July 2024, according to the same AP-NORC poll.
This surge aligns with Trump’s successful return to the presidency and the party’s unified push to advance his policies.
Among GOP leaders, Secretary of State Marco Rubio leads with 60% favorability among Republicans, while House Speaker Mike Johnson and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth each garner about 50% support within the party and 25% among the broader public, reflecting Trump’s ability to elevate trusted allies.
On the Democratic side, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) has seen his favorability plummet from 50% last December to just one-third today, largely due to his controversial March 2025 decision to support a Republican-led funding bill, which alienated many in his party.
Meanwhile, Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.) maintains a 50% favorability rating among Democrats, and Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) enjoys strong support at 75%, signaling a preference for progressive voices amid the party’s struggles.
Broader Discontent with the Political System
The poll also reveals growing disillusionment with the political process, particularly among Democrats. A majority, 55%, now express pessimism about how political leaders are selected, up from 46% last summer.
This mirrors broader public sentiment, with only 33% of Americans viewing the Democratic Party favorably compared to 40% for the Republican Party. A separate Washington Post/ABC News poll from April 2025 reinforces this frustration, finding that 69% of Americans see the Democratic Party as “out of touch,” while 64% say the same of the GOP.
Trump’s leadership, by contrast, has capitalized on public demand for decisive action, positioning the GOP as a more cohesive force.
As Democrats grapple with internal strife and a lack of clear direction, the AP-NORC poll suggests that the party faces an uphill battle to regain voter trust, while Trump’s GOP continues to consolidate its gains.
