Poll flashes warning signs for Democrats, as most Americans call them out of touch

A new poll flashes bright red warning signs for the Democratic Party ahead of the 2026 midterms.

In the latest AtlasIntel survey, most Americans describe the party of Franklin Roosevelt and John Kennedy as out of touch, lacking leadership and incapable of opposing President Donald Trump.

Trump, too, faced bruising results in the poll, with most respondents labeling his actions as authoritarian and damaging to the U.S. economy.

The survey, conducted Sept. 12-16, sampled 1,066 U.S. adults and has a margin of error of 3 percentage points.

Democratic Party critiques

In the poll, respondents were asked if they agreed or disagreed with six criticisms commonly levied against Democrats. Most agreed with all but one.

The overwhelming majority, 82%, said that the Democratic Party is facing a leadership crisis, while just 13% disagreed.

Seventy-two percent said the Democrats don’t know how to meaningfully oppose Trump’s agenda, while 21% disagreed.

Nearly two-thirds, 65%, concurred that “the Democratic Party is out of touch with the real issues affecting Americans.” Thirty-two percent opposed this statement.

Further, 60% said the party’s “woke discourse has gone too far,” while 35% disagreed. And a slim majority, 56%, said “Democrats have systemically betrayed some of their longstanding constituents.” Twenty-nine percent disagreed with this.

In contrast, just 23% of respondents agreed that “Democrats aren’t so different from Trump when it comes to foreign policy,” while a sizable majority, 72%, disagreed.

Trump critiques

Respondents were also asked whether they agreed or disagreed with five criticisms regularly made against Trump. Majorities supported all five.

Fifty-seven percent of respondents said that Trump “acts like a dictator,” while 43% disagreed.

The same 57% share said the president “serves the interest of big business lobbies.” Thirty-six percent disputed this statement.

Further, 55% said “Trump is too close to Russia,” while 42% disagreed.

And 54% said the president’s policies will damage the American economy, while 44% opposed this. A slim majority, 52%, also said “Trump’s foreign policy leaves the U.S. more vulnerable and isolated.” Forty-six percent said they opposed this statement.

This story was originally published September 23, 2025 at 9:33 AM with the headline "Poll flashes warning signs for Democrats, as most Americans call them out of touch."