Donald Trump’s standing with Baby Boomer voters has weakened notably, according to new polling.
A recent YouGov/Economist survey conducted between November 7 and 10 shows a marked decline in his approval among the oldest voters compared to October. Last month, Baby Boomers were evenly split, with 49 percent approving and 49 percent disapproving of Trump. In the November data, approval falls to 42 percent, while disapproval rises to 57 percent—a 15-point net swing against him in just one month.
Why the Shift Matters
Baby Boomers were a key bloc in Trump’s 2024 victory, when 51 percent of voters in that age group backed him. A sustained downturn in his support among older Americans could undercut Republican momentum heading into the 2026 midterm elections, especially in states where senior voters have long formed the foundation of GOP strength.
Fallout From the Shutdown
The downturn in support comes on the heels of a prolonged government shutdown that left many older Americans worried about possible disruptions to SNAP benefits and other critical programs. Even after the government reopened, concerns have persisted about the reliability of food assistance and the broader strain of rising living costs.
According to the latest data from the U.S. Department of Agriculture, about 20 percent of the 42 million people who rely on SNAP are adults aged 60 and older—roughly 8.4 million seniors. While federal funding has been restored, officials caution that some states may still experience delays returning benefits to full levels because administrative systems were disrupted during the shutdown.
During the funding lapse, the USDA warned that nearly 42 million people could see their SNAP access vanish as federal resources dwindled. To keep the program afloat, the department tapped around $4.65 billion in emergency reserves, but benefits were temporarily reduced to roughly two-thirds of their normal amount. Two federal judges later ruled the cuts unlawful and ordered full benefits restored. The White House appealed, however, and instructed states to pause any reinstated higher payments while the case moves forward.
Against that backdrop, 52 percent of Baby Boomers said they disapprove of Trump’s handling of the shutdown, with 41 percent reporting that they were greatly or somewhat affected by it.
Economic Anxiety Among Older Voters
The shutdown arrived amid existing financial pressures. Higher grocery bills, rising winter energy costs, and persistent affordability worries have deepened pessimism among older Americans.
The Treasury had previously estimated that the shutdown could cost the U.S. economy $15 billion per week. At the same time, overall inflation stood at roughly 3 percent year-over-year, according to economists’ estimates.
Those conditions appear to have shaped how Boomers view Trump’s performance. In the latest YouGov/Economist poll, only 34 percent of the oldest voters rated the economy as good or excellent. Another 39 percent called it poor, and 57 percent said the economy is getting worse—up from 53 percent in October.
The unease is compounded by the reality that many older workers are approaching retirement with insufficient savings. According to the Economic Policy Institute (EPI), “nearly half of older Americans are financially unready for retirement,” with a large share lacking meaningful savings or private pension coverage. The group warns that millions of workers in their late 50s and early 60s are “on the precipice of poverty” as they near the end of their working years.
“Trump’s weakening support among voters over 65 reflects growing economic anxiety, as nearly half of older workers approach retirement without enough savings to maintain their standard of living or even stay above the poverty line,” labor economist Teresa Ghilarducci of the New School told Newsweek.
What Comes Next
The legislation that ended the shutdown funds the government through January 30. In the meantime, Trump’s approval among older voters will be closely watched. If dissatisfaction among Baby Boomers deepens or persists, it could pose a serious political challenge for Republicans as they head into the 2026 midterms.
