As President Donald Trump approaches the end of his first 100 days in office, a recent Washington Post-ABC News-Ipsos poll reveals a troubling trend: a significant decline in his approval rating amid rising opposition to his ambitious and often controversial agenda. The poll indicates that Trump is facing majority disapproval across major initiatives and concerns about his administration's compliance with federal court orders.
No president in modern history has attempted to reshape government as swiftly as Trump. His initiatives include reducing the size of the executive branch, altering global economic dynamics, enforcing stricter immigration policies, and challenging prestigious universities. However, these sweeping changes have led to notable disruption for individuals, institutions, and financial markets, resulting in a surge of lawsuits from opponents that Trump is currently contesting.
Trump's overall approval rating has fallen sharply, now sitting at just 39 percent, compared to 55 percent who disapprove of his performance. This marks a decline from February, when 45 percent of Americans approved of his presidency. Among registered voters, the shift is even more pronounced, with approval dropping from 48 percent to 42 percent, and disapproval climbing from 51 percent to 55 percent. This represents a significant swing from a net negative of three points to a net negative of 13 points.
At the 100-day mark, Trump's approval rating is notably lower than that of any previous president, with only 42 percent approval in comparison to 52 percent for President Joe Biden during a similar timeframe. Traditionally, presidents experience a honeymoon phase early in their terms, yet Trump's situation appears to be an exception.
Among key demographic groups, Trump has experienced a decline in support, particularly among White individuals without a college degree (down 10 points), adults under 30 (down 13 points), and those who did not vote in the last election (down 11 points). Despite this, Trump retains considerable backing from his Republican base, many of whom believe that federal judges are overstepping their authority.
Interestingly, while many Americans disapprove of Trump's overall performance, they are somewhat supportive of his tariffs aimed at boosting manufacturing jobs in the U.S., even if they believe these tariffs may lead to increased prices. However, a majority of Americans feel that Trump has exceeded his authority with his policy decisions. Concerns are also rising about the overall state of the economy, with many believing it has worsened under Trump's leadership.
Despite the negative rating for Trump, the poll indicates that Americans trust him more than congressional Democrats when it comes to addressing the country’s major challenges, with 37 percent of respondents supporting Trump compared to 30 percent for Democrats. This reflects a significant partisan divide, as over 90 percent of Democrats disapprove of Trump while more than 80 percent of Republicans approve.
On key issues, more than 60 percent of Americans disapprove of Trump's handling of the economy, foreign relations, and his recent tariff strategies. A majority also disapprove of his management of the federal government and his approach to immigration, which remains a central theme of his administration.
The ongoing conflicts between Trump’s administration and federal judges have resulted in a public sentiment that generally favors judicial authority. Approximately two-thirds of Americans believe that judges should have the power to block policies that they deem harmful or illegal. In contrast, a majority of Republicans feel that judges are interfering with the president's authority.
Looking ahead, more than 70 percent of Americans anticipate that Trump's policies may lead to an economic recession in the near term. Only about 30 percent believe his policies will lay a stronger economic foundation for the future. A near majority of respondents feel that Trump is moving the country away from its founding principles, with many expressing skepticism about his commitment to the rule of law and protecting individual rights.
In conclusion, as President Trump nears the end of his first 100 days in office, the data reflects a presidency marked by declining approval ratings, increased public dissatisfaction, and significant challenges ahead. The ongoing conflicts with the judiciary and concerns about the economy will undoubtedly influence his administration's trajectory moving forward.
