What happened?
Polls show President Trump’s approval has slipped to new lows, with Reuters/Ipsos finding 40% approve and 58% disapprove and HarrisX showing similar weakness. The drop comes as a government shutdown continues after Congress failed to pass spending bills, and Trump has defended moves like militarizing law enforcement. He’s also said he’ll cut Democratic programs in response to the standoff, ramping up partisan tensions.
Who does this affect?
This affects everyday Americans and federal workers who are directly impacted by the shutdown and the political chaos it’s causing. It also affects the crypto industry and investors, since Trump has courted the blockchain sector and pushed for lighter enforcement while critics raise conflict-of-interest concerns. Lawmakers, markets, and prediction markets are all caught up as negotiations stall and bettors increasingly expect a prolonged shutdown.
Why does this matter?
Political instability and a lasting shutdown raise uncertainty that can boost volatility across stocks and crypto markets and hurt investor confidence. Trump’s ties to crypto and the debate over rollback versus stricter rules create regulatory risk that could swing digital-asset prices and business plans. With policy and spending decisions delayed, businesses and investors may act more cautiously, weighing the risk of sudden rule changes or prolonged economic disruption.