President Trump’s approval ratings have plummeted in the wake of nationwide “No Kings” protests that drew millions of Americans into the streets. The demonstrations have coincided with a measurable shift in public opinion polls across multiple survey organizations, with most showing the president underwater by significant margins. Why did Trump’s celebration of the U.S. Army’s 250th anniversary backfire politically?
Nationwide Protests Reflect Growing Discontent
President Trump is facing significant political headwinds as his approval ratings have declined following massive nationwide “No Kings” protests that garnered participation from over five million Americans. The demonstrations, organized by civil liberties groups including the ACLU and MoveOn, spanned more than 2,100 locations across the country in a coordinated show of opposition to the administration’s policies.
Protesters specifically cited concerns about Trump’s immigration policies, federal funding cuts, and growing national debt as motivation for taking to the streets. The timing of the protests coincided with Trump’s controversial $40 million military parade celebrating the U.S. Army’s 250th anniversary, which also fell on the president’s 79th birthday.
The "No Kings" protests took place in hundreds of U.S. cities and were attended by an estimated 4 to 6 million people. https://t.co/v3j1jPc4ND
— Newsweek (@Newsweek) June 19, 2025
Poll Numbers Show Consistent Downward Trend
Multiple polling organizations have documented Trump’s declining favorability in the aftermath of the protests, with most showing the president underwater by substantial margins. A Morning Consult poll found Trump with 47% favorable and 51% unfavorable ratings, while a Quinnipiac University poll showed an even steeper deficit with just 38% approving of the president compared to 54% disapproving.
Only the Rasmussen poll, which has historically shown more favorable numbers for Trump, registered a net positive approval rating with 52% favorable versus 46% unfavorable. Other major polling organizations including Gallup (43% favorable, 53% unfavorable), Reuters/Ipsos (42% favorable, 52% unfavorable), and Fox News (44% favorable, 55% unfavorable) all reflected similar trends of net disapproval.
Donald Trump’s approval rating has dropped over the past three weeks, coming close to its second-term low.
Current net approval: -7.4
21-day change: ⬇️ -2.0 pic.twitter.com/7eO3idx3Pa— VoteHub (@VoteHubUS) June 16, 2025
Military Parade Controversy Fuels Opposition
The administration’s decision to hold a military parade that drew 250,000 spectators at a cost of approximately $40 million has become a flashpoint for criticism. Critics have characterized the display as reminiscent of authoritarian regimes, while supporters defended it as a patriotic celebration of American military history.
The stark contrast between the parade’s attendees and the much larger protest turnout has created challenging optics for the White House communications team. Political analysts suggest the administration miscalculated by scheduling such a visible display of military might at a time when public sentiment was already shifting against what many perceive as excessive executive power.
While the White House has downplayed the significance of both the protests and polling numbers, the breadth and scale of the demonstrations suggest a growing movement rather than an isolated event. The administration now faces the challenge of addressing these concerns while maintaining its policy agenda amid declining public support, potentially complicating legislative priorities and executive actions in the months ahead.