The Supreme Court’s approval rating has crashed to an all-time low of 33%, driven by a stunning collapse in Republican support that suggests even conservative Americans are losing faith in the institution, according to a new Gallup poll released Monday.
The 6-point drop from last July marks the lowest approval rating Gallup has recorded in 26 years of tracking public opinion on the high court. A record 61% of Americans now disapprove of how the justices are doing their jobs.
Republican Support Plummets 21 Points
The most dramatic shift came from Republicans, whose approval rating for the court fell from 79% last September to just 58% today—a 21-point freefall that represents the lowest GOP approval in nearly three years. Democrats’ approval held steady at a dismal 13%, while independents clocked in at 30%.
Gallup attributed the Republican decline to recent rulings that went against the Trump administration, particularly decisions blocking tariff policies and restrictions on birthright citizenship. The poll suggests that even Trump-appointed justices ruling against the president carries more weight with Republican voters than previous decisions favorable to conservative priorities.
What This Means for Judicial Appointments
The bipartisan dissatisfaction points to a court that has managed to alienate Americans across the political spectrum. For retirees and families planning their futures, an unpopular Supreme Court raises questions about the stability of property rights, healthcare decisions, and retirement account protections that depend on consistent interpretation of constitutional law.
The court’s legitimacy crisis comes as it faces major cases next term on tax policy, regulatory authority, and Second Amendment rights—decisions that will directly affect millions of American households. With public trust eroding on both sides of the aisle, the justices now operate with the weakest mandate in modern history.
The September approval rating of 39% was previously considered rock bottom. That floor just gave way.
Key Points
- Supreme Court approval dropped to record low 33%, with 61% of Americans disapproving
- Republican support collapsed from 79% to 58% after court ruled against Trump administration on tariffs and birthright citizenship
- Bipartisan dissatisfaction threatens court’s legitimacy as it prepares to rule on cases affecting taxes, regulations, and gun rights
https://www.cnbc.com/2026/07/28/supreme-court-approval-poll-gallup-republicans-trump.html – July 28, 2026
