New approval ratings have been released, shedding light on Americans’ current views of President Donald Trump, and they do not bode well for his administration.
Since returning to the White House for a second term, Trump has been actively transforming the US government with a series of executive orders, policy changes, and impassioned speeches. His actions have ranged from dismantling trade agreements and reforming immigration policies to challenging the media, universities, and the judiciary. Throughout this period, he has remained a central figure in the media.
Despite Trump’s perspective of his presidency as a transformative force in Washington, many Americans remain unimpressed.
Historically, presidents begin their terms with substantial approval ratings. However, Trump, at the age of 79, commenced both of his terms with a nearly split opinion among the populace, and both times, his approval ratings deteriorated swiftly.
The current dissatisfaction extends beyond major issues like inflation and the economy. Even in areas that contributed to his initial rise, such as immigration and crime, public confidence is waning.
Initially, there was some public approval for his handling of the economy and inflation shortly after his inauguration.
However, this optimism quickly faded when his trade war rhetoric alarmed investors, leading to a marked decline in approval. Immigration, a central theme of his campaign, is also negatively impacting his approval ratings according to recent YouGov data.
State-by-state analysis reveals diminishing support even in regions that previously showed strong backing – an unsettling development for Republicans with midterm elections approaching.
As seen with other Republican leaders, Trump’s primary support comes from white and male voters, whereas younger Americans and minority groups tend to be more critical.
Overall, the recent approval ratings depict a president facing challenges in unifying the nation, though Trump likely views the situation differently.
Just last week, in response to Fox News anchor Martha MacCallum questioning his administration’s poor ratings, Trump remained undeterred.
He confidently asserted that the US’s economic recovery is imminent, stating: “Well, when the factories start opening. I mean, right now, we’re building them, you know, Fox polling, I have to tell you – I’ve told you before – it’s the worst polling I’ve ever had.”
He further claimed that in the 2024 election, the projections showed him “winning by a little bit and not a massive amount,” adding: “I told Rupert Murdoch, go get yourself a new pollster because he stinks.”