As we approach the milestone of 100 days into President Donald Trump’s second term, we’re seeing the inevitable shift in his approval ratings. Throughout the first half of this term, Trump’s approval rating had been remarkably consistent, even peaking at unprecedented heights at times. However, now, the latest polls are painting a different picture.
With regard to the latest CBS News/YouGov poll, it has been remarkably noted that 61% of Americans assert Trump is sticking to his campaign promises, as opposed to the pessimistic 39% who feel otherwise. An alarmingly high number, 69%, voiced concern that the administration doesn’t prioritize lowering prices enough, with 62% suggesting that too much emphasis is placed on tariffs.
It’s startling to note a mere 19% of participants believe Trump’s policies are bolstering their financial circumstances, with a staggering 48% pinning worsening circumstances on the same policies and 33% unswayed either way. Trump’s global job approval rating has tumbled down to a moderate 45%, with a majority 55% expressing disapproval.
We witness this downward slide in approval rating since it stood at a solid 53% in early February, then a slight dip to 51% in March, a further drop to 47% in April, and further slipping since. Interestingly, Trump’s approach to immigration seems to find more criticism than favor, with approval and disapproval at 49% and 51% respectively.
What’s surprising about this turbulent scenario is that most of the Americans polled, despite all the negativity, feel fairly positive about Trump’s border policies and his stand on deporting illegal immigrants. Clearly, the looping narratives around these policies play a crucial role in molding public sentiment.
Democrats polled about their party’s response to the Trump presidency conveyed palpable doubt and anxiety; we see a whopping 66% expressing frustration and 53% confessing nervousness. Meanwhile, recent Rasmussen Reports polling data indicate a week-long slump in Trump’s approval rating down to 47%, competing with 51% disapproval.
The NY Times/Sienna poll, not known for conservatism, painted a similarly bleak picture for Trump, pointing at a mere 42% approval versus a substantial 54% disapproval. This broadly negative sentiment seems to encapsulate various areas of governance like the economy, immigration, Russia/Ukraine War, and trade topics.
Trump’s position doesn’t seem much better in the Quantus Insights poll either, as his job approval barely claws up to 47.7%, while disapproval looms larger at 49.8%. The poll even questioned the choice of Democratic leadership, with unremarkable Kamala Harris leading the 2028 primaries at a disappointing 30%.
With no strong alternative candidate in sight on the Democrat side, this paints an interesting picture for the 2028 elections. However, favorability for Trump, per the comprehensive RealClear Polling combining results from 16 different pollsters, has dropped all the way to 45.1% versus a disapproving 52.5%, as of April 29.
This downturn in approval ratings hasn’t been a flash in the pan; it’s been steadily declining since March 12, marking the lowest score yet for Trump in this term. As always, it’s important to remember that opinions and sentiments reflected in these polls change in tandem with the daily news cycle, showcasing the capricious nature of public opinion.
Interestingly, a recent poll ventured into hypothetical territory, asking Trump voters how they’d act if given a do-over on the election. The results suggested an impressive loyalty among Trump voters – only a minuscule 2% reported they’d change their vote and a negligible 1% claimed they’d have abstained.
In a parallel universe, if voters were given a chance to reconsider their choice from the 2024 elections, would things have played out differently? The pollsters concluded that there would be no significant change. They noted, ‘If there was a repeat, if folks got to be able to redo their vote from back in 2024, would the result be any different? Highly unlikely.’
And despite incessant chatter of regretful Trump voters, the actual numbers tell a contrasting story. So perhaps, even amidst all the criticisms surrounding his administration, Trump still commands a loyal voter base that remains unshaken by transient public sentiment.
So, as we navigate through the dizzying twists and turns of public sentiment, it’s important to underline the loyalty of Trump supporters that seemingly contradict overall negative polling numbers. As often seen, public opinion is volatile, shaped by narratives, frustrations, and everyday events; the coming days will undoubtedly reveal more shifts and swings in these numbers.