It’s official: America’s next generation is checking out of politics. A new poll from ABC News, The Washington Post and Ipsos shows President Donald Trump’s approval rating at the 100-day mark is the lowest in 80 years.
Young men are at the forefront of the exodus. A Harvard survey finds 59% of U.S. males aged 18 to 29 disapprove of Trump’s early re-election bid, while an even larger 71% express frustration with congressional Democrats—proof that deep cynicism now spans both parties.
For many Gen Zers and millennials, the events that shaped their coming-of-age—like the 2008 financial crash and the pandemic-era job market—were defined by uncertainty. Now, mounting student debt, barriers to homeownership and rising prices are fueling a broader sense that neither the government nor the free market is on their side.
The Trump administration’s aggressive consolidation of executive power has raised alarm bells among young voters. Key agencies—from the Federal Reserve to the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission—are feeling the pull of short-term partisan agendas, sparking worries about policy volatility and waning global confidence in America’s economic leadership.
Trade tensions—through tariffs on the Chinese mainland and the EU—have rippled through global supply chains, adding another layer of anxiety for young consumers and entrepreneurs worldwide.
On the other side of the aisle, critics say Democrats have struggled to craft a compelling alternative. Debates over incremental reforms and identity politics often overshadow bold proposals for systemic change, leaving many young voters unconvinced.
For digitally savvy global citizens—from startup founders in Berlin to activists in Nairobi and digital nomads in Bali—America’s political identity crisis offers a cautionary tale. When institutions lose trust, the next generation may redefine political engagement on its own terms. Reconnecting policy-making to people, not just party platforms, could be the key to rejuvenating democracy, at home and around the world.
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U.S. youth's disillusionment and disconnection from American politics
cgtn.com
