A majority of Americans now express concern over President Donald Trump’s behavior and decision-making as he approaches 80, according to a new Reuters/Ipsos poll conducted over six days concluding Monday. The survey, released just before Trump’s annual State of the Union address, found that 61% of respondents describe the 79-year-old president as having “become erratic with age.” This perception spans political lines, with 30% of Republicans, 64% of independents, and 89% of Democrats sharing this view. The White House did not respond to requests for comment.
Despite concerns about his conduct, Trump’s overall approval rating has remained relatively steady. Forty percent of respondents approved of his performance as president, a slight two-point increase from earlier this month. Trump began his current term in January 2025 at age 78, making him the oldest U.S. president at the time of inauguration, and his approval has hovered near current levels since April. The poll also revealed broader unease over the age of the nation’s political leadership, with 79% of Americans agreeing that elected officials in Washington, D.C., are too old to represent most citizens effectively. Senators average 64 years of age and House members 58, with Democratic respondents slightly more likely to call for younger leadership, including criticism of Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, 75, whom 58% of Democrats viewed as too old.
Trump’s presidency has been marked by rapid policy moves and aggressive rhetoric. Since returning to office, he has introduced sweeping tariffs on imports from multiple countries and deployed masked federal agents to enforce immigration policy nationwide. His tone has often been confrontational; last week, he publicly criticized the Supreme Court for striking down many of his tariffs, calling the decision unacceptable, and subsequently reinstated new tariffs under a different legal framework. In November, he attacked Democratic lawmakers for urging military personnel to resist unlawful orders, labeling them traitors who could face execution — comments that intensified debate over his temperament and judgment.
The new poll indicates a marked decline in public confidence in Trump’s mental acuity. Only 45% of respondents described him as “mentally sharp and able to deal with challenges,” down from 54% in a September 2023 Reuters/Ipsos survey. Republicans largely continue to view him as capable, with 81% affirming his mental sharpness, while support among Democrats fell to 19%, and independents dropped to 36% from 53% in the previous poll.
Trump’s rise to the presidency in 2024 was partly influenced by perceptions of his predecessor, Joe Biden, whose advanced age and alleged decline in mental acuity were central themes during the campaign. Biden left office at 82, older than any previous president, and Trump is on track to surpass that milestone, turning 80 in June 2026. The contrast has heightened scrutiny of Trump’s cognitive fitness, particularly as he navigates complex domestic and international policy challenges.
The Reuters/Ipsos survey, conducted online among 4,638 U.S. adults, carries a margin of error of two percentage points. Its findings underscore growing public debate over the impact of advanced age on presidential leadership and the ability of senior officials to manage national and global responsibilities. With the State of the Union address imminent, Trump faces intensified scrutiny not only from political opponents but also from a broader electorate increasingly concerned about the intersection of age, temperament, and governance.
