Love him or hate him, President Donald Trump has a knack for dividing Americans. But when it comes to his approval ratings, something downright puzzling is happening. Younger Americans are increasingly giving the 78-year-old president a thumbs up, while older voters seem increasingly frustrated with the Commander-in-Chief. And that’s not just a minor trend – it’s becoming a full-blown generational divide.
Most shocking of all? The demographic that disapproves of Trump the most isn’t college students or middle-aged suburbanites. It’s his own peer group! That’s right – the same generation that grew up alongside Donald Trump is now showing the strongest opposition to his presidency. Who would have thought?
According to a recent Real Clear Politics poll, Americans over 70 disapprove of Trump’s performance by a whopping 14-point margin. Compare that to younger generations, and the contrast couldn’t be clearer:
From ‘The Post Millennial’:
The youngest cohort, aged 18 to 29, approved of Trump by 2 points. The 30-39-year-old set approved of Trump with 9 points. The next batch of middle-aged Americans, aged 40-49, cranked out a tie. Those 50-59 thought well of Trump by 3 point, and the 60-69-year-olds went for Trump with a 5 point spread.
Even Gen Z – supposedly the most progressive generation – is giving Trump positive marks. Meanwhile, the Woodstock generation seems decidedly unimpressed with their contemporary in the White House. Is this the generational reversal no one saw coming?
Gray Hairs, Red Flags: Trump’s Unexpected Critics
What’s driving this bizarre role reversal? Turns out, Social Security and Medicare fears play a significant role. Despite Trump’s repeated promises not to touch these benefits for American citizens, many seniors remain skeptical.
March polling showed Trump’s approval among Boomers taking a nosedive, with Democrat lawmakers fueling fears about potential cuts to social programs. The reality? Trump has banned illegal immigrants from receiving Social Security benefits but has repeatedly pledged to protect these programs for citizens – a fact that seems lost on many of his peers.
It also appears that economic stability concerns are driving this disapproval. Many retirees watching their investment portfolios get rattled by market volatility are growing nervous about Trump’s economic approach.
While younger Americans see the long-term benefits of prioritizing Main Street over Wall Street, older Americans who rely on their investments for daily living are less enthusiastic about economic disruption – even when it’s for the greater good.
Medicare, Markets, and Mainstream Media
Another factor? Media consumption. Older Americans still get much of their information from traditional news sources, which haven’t exactly been kind to Trump. Younger generations, having grown up in the digital age, are more likely to seek out alternative perspectives and form their own opinions independent of establishment media narratives.
This fear-driven narrative seems to be working on many Boomers. As the Post Millennial notes, “Democrat lawmakers have consistently beat the drums of deprivation, saying that Trump and the Department of Government Efficiency would be reducing payments and programs.”
Despite Trump’s clear statements to the contrary, these messages appear to be resonating with older voters. Have you noticed how effectively the media can shape perceptions among those who grew up trusting network news?
What’s particularly ironic is that this is the same generation that, according to polling, is “less willing to share wealth with their children,” maintaining their lifelong ethos to “find themselves” and “follow their bliss” – perhaps explaining their resistance to Trump’s more family-focused, traditional values approach.
Move Over, Boomers: Gen Z Goes Red
Perhaps the most encouraging news for conservatives comes from the youngest voters. Study after study shows that those aged 18 to 24 are leaning more conservative than any generation in half a century. While true for both young men and women, it’s especially pronounced among young men, who are overwhelmingly embracing conservative principles.
This trend completely upends the conventional wisdom that young people are naturally progressive and become more conservative as they age. Instead, we’re seeing a generation that’s already starting from a conservative worldview – likely a reaction to the excesses of progressive policies they’ve witnessed throughout their formative years.
For the conservative movement, this represents a monumental shift. While the mainstream media obsesses over Trump’s struggles with his own generation, they’re missing the bigger story: the future belongs to a generation that’s rediscovering traditional values, constitutional principles, and America-first policies.
The seeds being planted today may well bloom into a conservative renaissance tomorrow. Isn’t it remarkable how the generation raised by progressive institutions is turning toward conservatism instead?
Key Takeaways:
- Boomers show the strongest disapproval of Trump with a 14-point negative margin, while nearly all younger demographics give him positive approval ratings
- Economic concerns and fears about social programs are driving older Americans away from Trump, despite his repeated promises to protect these benefits
- Today’s youngest voters represent the most conservative generation in 50 years, suggesting a promising future for the conservative movement in America
Sources: The Post Millennial
