A CBS News poll reveals that while many Americans believe President Trump is changing government operations, opinions are sharply divided on whether these changes are positive or negative. Trump is praised for his immigration policies, yet views on workforce cuts, influenced by figures like Elon Musk, cause splits along party lines. Additionally, Americans desire more focus on economic issues and inflation, but feel Trump prioritizes other matters.
According to a recent CBS News poll, a strong consensus among Americans indicates that President Donald Trump is indeed reshaping how the government operates. However, opinions are dramatically split on whether these changes are good news or bad news. For instance, many Americans give Trump high marks for his immigration and deportation policies and see his border strategies as effective. Yet, when it comes to federal government spending, almost everyone agrees there’s waste present, which seems to be a unifying thought among varying political affiliations.
In another area of contention, the influence of billionaire Elon Musk and his cryptocurrency antics is stirring up debate. A sizable portion of respondents see potential downsides to the federal workforce cuts— they fear these cutbacks could slash essential services. But there’s a silver lining for others who believe trimming the workforce might save taxpayer dollars. Essentially, Americans seem reluctant to settle on a clear stance regarding Musk’s involvement with government data; Democrats and independents are cautious, while Republicans appear more agreeable, with many actually wanting to grant Musk more access.
Digging deeper, the poll indicates a clear disconnect between what voters want from Trump and what they believe he’s emphasizing. Sure, he receives somewhat decent ratings when it comes to handling the economy. But inflation? That’s a different story. The vast majority, regardless of political stripes, want him to tackle inflation and the economy. Yet, notably fewer believe he actually prioritizes those issues—many think he’s focusing instead on immigration, tariffs, and workforce reductions.
Trump’s immigration policies continue to earn him public approval, as people appreciate his approach to reducing the flow of migrants into the U.S. That said, despite this approval, his overall ratings reflect growing division, especially among Republicans who generally feel things are improving under his leadership.
Shifting to foreign relations, respondents perceive significant transformations. The poll was largely conducted prior to Trump’s Pentagon meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, which may influence opinions further. Americans overall wish to maintain an active role internationally, although not necessarily as the lead actor; they favor collaboration with allies, especially in Western Europe. Half of Americans are backing Ukraine against Russia, but an equal number express neutrality, illustrating the mixed feelings swirling around this issue.
On Trump’s handling of the Ukraine-Russia conflict, responses are split along party lines, with Republicans not quite as likely to view Russia as the enemy. Such contrasting views also emerge in discussions about military aid to Ukraine, highlighting a thematic divide in American politics. This CBS News/YouGov survey involved over 2,300 adults between February 26 and 28, 2025, with a margin of error of ±2.5 points. The findings suggest that as Trump continues to reshape government functions, the public remains unsure whether to cheer or jeer.
Original Source: www.cbsnews.com
