Recent polling data indicates that a significant number of Americans, including some within the Republican party, are losing faith in Donald Trump across various critical issues. A survey released this week revealed that a majority of respondents view Trump's second term in the White House as "scary." This sentiment is compounded by poor ratings regarding the economy and Trump’s immigration policies, highlighting a growing discontent among the electorate.
According to a poll published on Saturday, only 24% of Americans believe that Trump is focusing on the right priorities as president. This statistic is particularly alarming given that Trump's popularity is at a historic low for a leader so early in their term. More than half of voters disapprove of his overall performance, with majorities opposing his tariff policies and the reduction of the federal workforce. These scathing reviews come as Trump approaches the milestone of 100 days in office, indicating that Americans are already experiencing fatigue after a period marked by significant economic turmoil and troubling deportation actions, including those affecting documented individuals.
A recent poll by the Associated Press-Norc Center for Public Affairs Research, released over the weekend, showed that even among Republicans, there is a lack of overwhelming support for Trump's focus. Only 54% of Republicans believe he is concentrating on the "right priorities." In stark contrast, Trump's numbers among crucial independent voters are much weaker, with just 9% saying he is addressing the right issues. Additionally, 42% of independents feel that Trump is misdirecting his attention. Overall, about four in ten respondents approve of Trump's handling of the presidency, while only about 40% express approval of his approach to foreign policy, trade negotiations, and the economy.
Furthermore, a New York Times/Siena College poll conducted on Friday found that Trump's approval rating stands at 42%, dropping to just 29% among independent voters. More than half of those surveyed believe that Trump is "exceeding the powers available to him," while 59% assert that his second term has been "scary." Despite Republican leaders typically receiving strong approval ratings for their economic policies, Americans have expressed disappointment in Trump’s performance. The Times survey revealed that only 43% of voters approve of how Trump is managing the economy, a significant decline from April 2024, when 64% approved of his economic policies during his first term.
In addition, half of the voters disapprove of Trump’s trade policies with other countries. A staggering 61% believe that a president should not have the authority to impose tariffs without congressional approval. Notably, 63% of respondents, including 40% of Republicans, argued that "a president should not be able to deport legal immigrants who have protested Israel." This growing discontent has been evident throughout the week, with an Associated Press poll indicating that approximately half of US adults believe Trump’s trade policies will significantly increase prices. Another three in ten think prices may rise somewhat, while half of Americans are "extremely" or "very" concerned about a potential recession in the coming months.
Polling conducted by the Trump-friendly Fox News has provided little relief for the president. A survey published on Wednesday found that only 38% of Americans approve of Trump’s handling of the economy, with 56% disapproving. Furthermore, the Fox News poll revealed that 58% of respondents disapproved of Trump’s overall performance, and 59% expressed disapproval regarding inflation. Only three in ten Americans believe that Trump’s policies are beneficial for the economy, while just four in ten think his policies will positively impact the country.
As Trump navigates the challenges of his second term, these polling trends suggest a growing disconnect between his administration’s priorities and the concerns of the American public.
