Supreme Court Faces Declining Approval Ratings Amid New Term

The United States Supreme Court’s approval rating among Republicans has dropped according to a new Gallup poll, following its latest term involving several rulings related to former President Donald Trump. The Court has seen erosion in public trust, with growing numbers of Americans questioning its impartiality. Recent rulings have sparked discontent among both progressives, who criticized decisions believed to weaken the Voting Rights Act, and conservatives, dissatisfied with rulings against Trump, such as those affecting birthright citizenship.

Overall approval of the Supreme Court reached a record low of 33 percent in the new poll, down from 42 percent in September 2025. This disapproval extends across party lines, with Republicans increasingly critical of the Court. Fifty-eight percent of Republicans expressed approval in the latest poll, down significantly from a near record high of 79 percent in June 2025, as reported by Gallup.

This decline may indicate that rulings unfavorable to the Trump administration this term, such as those involving tariffs and birthright citizenship, weigh more heavily in Republicans’ evaluations of the court than those rulings that favored Trump and the GOP.

Newsweek has reached out to the Supreme Court’s public information office for comments. The trend of declining approval is evident with 2025’s 39 percent approval also being a record low. Approval was at 58 percent in 2020, but by September 2021, it fell to 40 percent and has struggled to improve since.

Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson has addressed the issue of eroding public opinion. She highlighted the significant real-world impacts when the Court overturns lower rulings, affecting areas like the Department of Education and federal grants.

Supreme Court’s Mixed Rulings on Donald Trump

For many Trump-aligned Republicans, the Supreme Court’s decision to uphold birthright citizenship was disappointing. The ruling was a setback for a Trump executive order aiming to end this practice. Additionally, the Court ruled against Trump on tariffs, stating he lacked authority under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act, and blocked the dismissal of Federal Reserve Governor Lisa Cook. These decisions represent checks on Trump’s executive authority. However, the Court did issue rulings favorable to Trump, such as supporting measures related to transgender athletes and other executive authority issues.

The Court also upset progressives by striking down Louisiana’s second majority-Black congressional district, perceived as weakening the Voting Rights Act. Subsequent to the decision, several states redrew maps to eliminate majority-Black seats. Trump has criticized the Court over unfavorable decisions, as seen in a Truth Social post stating that justices appointed by him display disrespect.

Other Polls on Supreme Court Approval

Other surveys confirm the low approval trend. A Washington Post and Ipsos poll showed 41 percent favorability versus 55 percent disapproval. Meanwhile, a YouGov poll recorded 38 percent approval, with 45 percent disapproving. Findings also show support for new regulatory measures, with 79 percent favoring an ethics code and 74 percent supporting term limits, indicating a desire for reforms.

Ethics Concerns and Upcoming Cases

Ethics concerns have also emerged involving Justices Clarence Thomas and Samuel Alito. Reports detail Thomas accepting luxurious benefits from donors without disclosure. Additionally, Alito faced criticism following symbolic expressions aligned with disputed election claims.

With the conclusion of significant decisions for the current term, attention turns to the Court’s next docket. New cases addressing gun rights, climate-related claims against energy companies, Title IX employment protections, and more are anticipated. As oral arguments are set for October, these could have major implications. Gallup historically conducts approval ratings biannually, so a new poll might emerge in the fall, depending on traditions.