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

> **Open Intelligence Dossier** · First detected: 2026-11-03 14:20 UTC · Category: World

## Executive Summary
A new poll reveals a significant decline in approval for Donald Trump and Pete Hegseth among US military members and veterans.

## Intelligence Brief
Recent polling data indicates that Donald Trump and Pete Hegseth are currently underwater regarding their approval ratings among veterans and active-duty military members. According to reporting from The Hill, this key constituency appears to be turning its back on Trump and his top official. The data suggests a deepening rift between the military community and the current political leadership. This shift is coinciding with an Election Day period, as noted by Outside the Beltway in their Election Day Forum coverage. Coverage from The New Republic and Yahoo emphasizes a critical impact on personnel retention, reporting that Pete Hegseth has made over half of the military want to quit their service early.


Further reports from inkl describe this situation as a readiness crisis, claiming that half of the US military wants to quit specifically due to policies enacted by Donald Trump. The National Interest adds to this narrative by stating that America's servicemembers are fed up as the country reaches Election Day. Context for this trend is provided by Military.com, which reports a broader sentiment of abandonment within the community. According to their polling, 79% of veterans and service members believe that society and politicians are leaving them behind. This suggests that the current dissatisfaction with Trump and Hegseth exists within a larger framework of perceived neglect and a systemic feeling of being marginalized by the political establishment in the United States.


Future developments to monitor include how these approval ratings affect military readiness and personnel numbers. The specific policies attributed to Donald Trump that are driving the desire for early resignation remain a primary point of focus. Observers will likely watch for official responses from the administration regarding the reported readiness crisis and the high percentage of veterans who feel abandoned by the government as reported by Military.com and other outlets.

## Multi-Source Evidence Table
| Source Outlet | Headline | Verification URL |
|---|---|---|
| The New Republic | Pete Hegseth Makes Over Half the Military Want to Quit Early | [Source Link](https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMilgFBVV95cUxNWFlyTjE5aXBBelZUQXdvQ29aUDZlRjF0b1Q0UENyNnBiaGVQelo5N1lIQXN5MXBvaUNTOUtkZzJ1S0tELWNLdUNLSzBXd2sxX1U1YnNiSTZ4STA3S1p5Yi1KalpDMlo2eG53Y2pKc045QnVsM2hvTS12VVozZW91Nm5GOHhrU3J3bkxxQXYzZXd0dXMyemc?oc=5) |
| Yahoo | Poll shows key constituency turning its back on Trump, top official | [Source Link](https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMimwFBVV95cUxOcjNUMDZoVm9EZ01OSHV2N0lnenpUd0lUQzB6Z19hM3puY1BvOGZicE12R0gyNXJqTDdRZWM0eThPM0dKVUVPZUxJZ1owSHAwVmpKMk91X04yMWlLN01VNlFIeWxfbS1taTI4b2d3d3AyMjkycHI0T2ZsQzFZbDBMTE9VeEJ4ZDVmYWlqcHF1aE1ZWURiYjNiRUNVSQ?oc=5) |
| Outside the Beltway | Election Day Forum | [Source Link](https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMiXkFVX3lxTE44TDh5Y3FsSnJPSVB5SndlZ2RBLUYtWHBSQlFqYUZTbmcwenBqcThwSXBhV0lic09yOExrRDV0ZEs5QjNmUDhmdWZYb1JVRWVaOEc4ZUkyVU1QNXBvSEE?oc=5) |
| SILive.com | Poll shows key constituency turning its back on Trump, top official | [Source Link](https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMisAFBVV95cUxPMDQteFRaSDBfZE1QRGphNVA0OHRhRnNMQnFTb3hMd21FVzZiT2h2d00wbUh3VGZ2MnJQVTJMX1RTNGZtakZ4RXEyYmt5M2lrZnlrLUZXLUxmWGZGVDVGYjM3c2JlTy1pQ2dvWlRFNnEyN2xoM2kzWlhIdExycWJEbU5BcDVXbkRoMFRZWFY3TDRoc2lRYXBfWGdvdEVEaHdKR3FsQXZwb21LbG1OU1pIVQ?oc=5) |
| inkl | 'Readiness Crisis': New Poll Claims Half of US Military Wants To Quit Due to Donald Trump Policies | [Source Link](https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMivgFBVV95cUxPSzA3T3oycWpWTHZNS2lfNlQwa0Q3c2VvSk1DSnc3VDlTaW44bUNmTjM2WmxZZ2stRjJER1EtNzNiTDloZ0FaVllKcHRYWW44SzVqbk9GUHBVVVktYXFNelZycjlHeUV0RVpPSExjUWVMMVNzN0dkM28zd2F1OFpxeS1FeFVuRmFjanBodnZRQ2hIVmlWVFpUblF3NjRfSDVocVBZZm5SZS1RM3RBd0VCMUlGV1ZRZjZGaV9OLWh3?oc=5) |
| The National Interest | This Election Day, America’s Servicemembers Are Fed Up | [Source Link](https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMiowFBVV95cUxPd3g5eTBDenIwalBDUGI2YWc4TG4zYm9jZlh6VUJiZE1ZX0pndWNtTlRrOEFpU0t5TGU1aWNmRVFReEFZb3ppR2EwWEpJb19oVWJrMUFZUEpkRS1ad2xNb3NrSmZqNFNvMXFobG03SVh1cmxUdklMTTVmRWthclpZQ0lucXR0X0RBR1VzbFFDbjJEaTVfYjNvTmFRckoySUxTOG13?oc=5) |
| Yahoo | Pete Hegseth Makes Over Half the Military Want to Quit Early | [Source Link](https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMikgFBVV95cUxOTjBXd2tYbXNHYWtFWjVFMF84TnNyM1NqV2lNSGtPYlFDM05iOHZrRndQeUdzMENWZVJuckwtTlJnOFAzRjdod0ljWWxrdFlFbmtLcUtuTVhnNGpRY3Zjd1ZLTm1DeXlDQ245d1FCWENPRXAyQklmckc5MmxESExpZ3NCcW9ZdDFRdW4yRG5ZcUw2Zw?oc=5) |
| Military.com | 79% of Veterans and Service Members Say Politicians and Society Are Leaving Them Behind: Poll | [Source Link](https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMisgFBVV95cUxOZDVYeTljb0UzSEJGTXJHemhwdWgtV01kZ2YxMzdXUnNQcUF1RTgyUGlzbnNIMTVfUnFsMjJJR3BSQ2Myd2V1LTVrektBb2lXVzZXVDNEeE5ranpWWVZ1TWNzMFNMek1HZDJlT1ZITF9JMzkxcnc5ZXRQREQyRjR1NVNDemszYnluVUNieERORHpSa0RkQ0tJMkxBeTVlUnN0bmpqZ2dYOWNuZlFLMUkxcmhn?oc=5) |
| The Hill | Trump, Hegseth underwater on approval from military members, veterans: Poll | [Source Link](https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMilwFBVV95cUxNQy00TGN5aWxZQXZlUE15aXJ2S2FUUnpqdjRqUUV2Y3NkQnhmaGRoM1pRTzRUVjdIeF9naDg2bUFCUkZEamxSdmd4M1UwOW5lR2dMbUpuQ2Z0UHdxR0wwSy1xM1Mtc3djdGdrbzZJMzBKVkdkM2FfNndzUHYtSVdjZURTQ0llcGFKblY4Qm9wcDdBVkVhS2cw0gGcAUFVX3lxTFBiS25iMkYtdmpYaWFGbGVBQno5TWVRZ0ZtUmJnZHIyenlaUWJWNUlIcGh0M1RUOUFHOVNlYTBMRGNPMUQ4dktheWFTczRteEJlYjQtX1l5dkhYczdiZ3BHLUtISDNfa29TLU9vcXhCbFo3WjAwaFlIUXgxLVVHWWRsY1pQbGF0Z1VBZ0hrOFFTd3B6RTdLZ3dhOWkzZg?oc=5) |

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*Canonical Source: https://pulse.byoviral.com/trend/2026-11-03/trump-hegseth-underwater-on-approval-from-military-members-veterans-poll*