# Trump, Hegseth underwater on approval from military members, veterans: Poll

- URL: https://talkfuse.com/story/trump-hegseth-underwater-on-approval-from-military-members-veterans-poll/
- Published: 2026-11-02T21:09:05+00:00
- Updated: 2026-11-03T23:58:13+00:00
- Original publisher: The Hill (publisher lean: Right)
- Original article: https://thehill.com/homenews/administration/6190005-trump-hegseth-military-approval-ratings/
- Topics: Americas, Elections, Government, Politics, World

## Key points

- About half of respondents disapproved of both Trump and Hegseth.
- Two-thirds saw political motives in decisions affecting troops.
- The online poll surveyed 731 people in September.

## Summary

A poll of 731 serving US military personnel, veterans and military family members found that about half disapproved of President Donald Trump and Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth. Conducted in September by Change Research for the veteran-led advocacy group Common Defense, the survey found that 67% believed decisions affecting service members were being made for political gain rather than military readiness. Among serving personnel, 54% disapproved of Hegseth and 53% said the military becoming more politicised made them want to leave sooner.

## Coverage

- [The Hill: Trump, Hegseth underwater on approval from military members, veterans: Poll](https://thehill.com/homenews/administration/6190005-trump-hegseth-military-approval-ratings/)
- [Common Defense: Common Defense Poll: 79% of Veterans & Active Duty Military Say Government, Society Are Leaving Them Behind Ahead of the Midterms](https://commondefense.us/news/common-defense-poll-79-of-veterans-active-duty-military-say-government-society-are-leaving-them-behind-ahead-of-the-midterms/)

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Summarised by TalkFuse (https://talkfuse.com/). Quote the original publisher for the reporting and link this page for the summary and discussion.