A majority of Americans believe US President Donald Trump has grown erratic with age, according to a new Reuters/Ipsos poll conducted ahead of his annual State of the Union address.
The six-day online survey of 4,638 US adults found that 61 per cent of respondents described Trump as having “become erratic with age.” The view cuts across party lines, though with sharp differences. About 89 per cent of Democrats agreed with the statement, along with 64 per cent of independents and 30 per cent of Republicans.
The poll concluded on Monday, a day before the 79-year-old president was set to address Congress following weeks marked by tense exchanges with lawmakers and judges.
Also Read | US men’s hockey team visits White House while women’s team declines Trump's SOTU invitation
Approval ratings largely stable
Despite concerns about temperament, Trump’s overall approval rating has been fairly stable. About 40 per cent of the respondents said they approve of the job he has been doing as president, up two points from last week. Although he started his current term with a 47 per cent approval rating, he has been stuck in a tight range since April.
As per a report by CNBC TV18, White House spokesman Davis Ingle reacted to the poll results, saying they are “fake and desperate narratives.” He said Trump’s “sharpness, unmatched energy, and historic accessibility” set him apart from his predecessor, Joe Biden.
Concerns over ageing leadership
The poll also indicates a general concern about the age of politicians in Washington. Almost 79 per cent of the respondents agreed that "elected officials in Washington, D.C., are too old to represent most Americans." The average age of the US Senate is 64 years old, and the average age of the US House of Representatives is 58 years old.
Also Read | What is State of the Union? Everything to know before President Trump's address
Trump returned to office in January 2025 at the age of 78, making him the oldest president to be sworn in. He will be 80 in June
Perceptions of mental sharpness
Only 45 per cent of the respondents said Trump is mentally sharp and capable of handling challenges, down from 54 per cent in a Reuters/Ipsos poll conducted in September 2023. Among Republicans, 81 per cent rate him as sharp. The number is 19 per cent among Democrats and 36 per cent among independents. The poll has a margin of error of two percentage points.
