GALLUP: U.S. Mood Subdued as Crime, Unity Concerns Rise


By Lydia Saad - Posted at GALLUP News:

Published September 22, 2025

Story Highlights
  • 29% now satisfied with nation’s direction, lowest since January
  • Mentions of crime or violence and national unity have jumped
  • Trump job approval and confidence in the economy unchanged

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Americans’ satisfaction with the way things are going in the U.S. is at its lowest since President Donald Trump took office in January, with 29% now saying they are satisfied. This contrasts with 31% to 33% readings each of the past three months and a term high of 38% in May.


Though subdued compared with recent months, satisfaction remains above the 20% recorded in January before Trump’s inauguration. That early 2025 reading was consistent with sub-30% levels seen since mid-2021, a period marked by high inflation and divided government that left partisans on both sides dissatisfied. Satisfaction has trended higher under Trump, typically buoyed by strong Republican approval.