Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) is taking a serious hit in the court of public opinion. A recent poll reveals a staggering 52% of Americans are thumbs-down on his performance in Congress, a number that should make any politician sit up and take notice.
A comprehensive survey by Economist/YouGov, conducted between October 24-27, 2025, paints a grim picture for Schumer, with only 23% approving of his job as Minority Leader, while a majority disapproves.
Breitbart reported that his numbers are the worst among congressional leaders like Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-SD), House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA), and House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY).
Breaking it down by party lines, Republicans are unsurprisingly harsh, with 64% disapproving of Schumer’s leadership while just 13% give him a nod. Independents aren’t much kinder, with 54% shaking their heads and only 16% in his corner. It’s a rough day when even the unaffiliated are saying, “No thanks.”
Now, you’d think Schumer’s own party would have his back, but the numbers tell a different story. Among Democrats, only 43% approve of his performance, while 35% disapprove, and a notable 22% are just plain unsure. That’s hardly the ringing endorsement a leader needs from their base.
The survey, which polled 1,623 respondents and carries a margin of error of plus or minus 3.4%, suggests Schumer is in a uniquely tough spot compared to his peers in Congress. He’s not just trailing; he’s at the bottom of the pack. One has to wonder if his office is feeling the heat yet.
Adding fuel to the fire, Schumer’s current stance on government funding—or rather, the refusal to budge—has drawn sharp criticism. Democrats in the Senate, under his leadership, are holding firm against reopening the government, a move that’s raising eyebrows and blood pressure alike. It’s a gamble that’s not playing well with the public.
House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) isn’t mincing words about Schumer’s tactics, pointing to a past moment of apparent bipartisanship that’s now gone sour.
Johnson claims Schumer once backed a straightforward funding resolution in a previous March but faced intense backlash from the far-left wing of his party. That flip-flop, Johnson argues, is haunting the current standoff.
“But when he did the right thing in March, he received an onslaught of criticism from the far-left base and the Democrat Party, and he almost lost his job,” Johnson said.
Let’s unpack that—Schumer caves to pressure from the progressive fringe, and now we’re all paying the price with a stalled government? Sounds like prioritizing party politics over people’s needs.
“So Chuck Schumer got a bunch of consultants and staff in a back room, and they concocted a plan, a political stunt,” Johnson continued. If true, this paints a picture of a leader more concerned with saving face than serving the nation. It’s the kind of backstage scheming that makes voters roll their eyes.
Johnson’s critique doesn’t stop there—he’s accusing Schumer of playing a dangerous game just to appease his base. The idea that a funding measure, no matter how necessary, gets tossed aside for political theater is a bitter pill for Americans to swallow. Are we really surprised, though, when optics seem to trump duty?
This isn’t just about numbers on a poll; it’s about trust—or the lack thereof. When 52% of the country disapproves, and even your own party is lukewarm, it’s a wake-up call that leadership isn’t just about holding a title. Schumer’s got a steep hill to climb if he wants to turn this around.
Let’s not forget the context of this disapproval—government funding hangs in the balance, and the public is caught in the crossfire. Democrats’ refusal to negotiate, led by Schumer, isn’t winning any popularity contests. It’s hard to cheer for a team that seems to be playing defense against its own citizens.
Looking at the broader picture, Schumer’s disapproval rating stands out as a glaring red flag among congressional leaders. It’s not just a partisan jab; independents and even a chunk of Democrats are signaling their frustration. That’s a coalition of discontent no politician can ignore.
Johnson’s allegations of political stunts and survival tactics might sting, but they resonate when the numbers are this stark. If Schumer once made an impassioned plea against inflicting pain on Americans, as Johnson recalls, where’s that conviction now? Hypocrisy isn’t a good look on anyone, especially not a Senate leader.
