Trump’s Job Rating Declines as Key Policies Face Majority Disapproval

President Trump’s job approval has dropped to 40% as he nears 100 days in office, reflecting growing discontent among voters. A majority disapproves of key initiatives like tariff increases and federal cuts, with bipartisan support for judicial compliance in case of court rulings. While his supporters remain aligned with his policies, stark partisan divides emerge in overall job approval ratings and opinions on specific actions. Economic confidence has also waned, coupled with shifting views on party favorability.

As President Donald Trump approaches the 100-day mark of his second term, his job approval rating stands at 40%. This is down 7 percentage points since February, reflecting growing dissatisfaction among certain voter demographics. While his staunch supporters still commend his performance, recent policies, particularly regarding tariffs and government budget cuts, are generating more disapproval than approval from the public. For instance, nearly 60% of Americans disapprove of the Trump administration’s tariff increases.

Tariff-related decisions have proven particularly contentious—just 39% support the tariffs, while 59% object. Furthermore, 55% of respondents disapprove of the cuts being made to federal departments and agencies. Executive orders also face scrutiny; over half of U.S. adults believe Trump is relying too heavily on them to set policy. Just 27% feel he’s using the right amount of executive authority. Interestingly, the data collection coincided with a turbulent period dominated by Trump’s announcement of new tariffs on multiple trading partners.

The Pew Research Center’s survey indicates a striking bipartisan consensus on the need for compliance with federal court rulings. A significant 78% of participants, including 91% of Democrats and 65% of Republicans, affirmed that the administration should stop any action deemed illegal by a court. If a Supreme Court ruling were involved, the support for this would increase even further to 88%. This might imply a longing for accountability amid current legal challenges faced by the administration.

Party lines starkly divide opinions about Trump’s overall job performance—75% of Republicans support it, while a staggering 93% of Democrats disapprove. Such numbers reflect broader sentiments: 78% of Republicans favor the administration’s budget cuts and 70% support increased tariffs. In stark contrast, 90% of Democrats are against the tariffs and 86% disapprove of the cuts to government funding. This polarization is markedly similar to opinions observed during Trump’s first term.

Historically, Trump’s approval rating mirrors that of his first term at the 100-day mark. However, he still lags behind his predecessors, with only Bill Clinton experiencing lower approval (49%) during similar early days. Comparatively, President Joe Biden’s approval was much higher at 59% in April 2021, although it would soon drop significantly.

Public sentiment about various administration actions reveals mixed feelings. Immigration policies top the list for both what people like and dislike; while 20% express approval of the policies, 11% are critical, particularly concerning deportations. Similarly, Trump’s governing style garners mixed reviews—22% of Americans criticize his approach, which some perceive as careless or authoritarian.

Economic perceptions are turning more negative. While evaluations of the economy remain steady since February, 45% of Americans now anticipate a downturn in the next year, a noticeable increase from 37%. Trump’s economic decision-making confidence has also dipped, with only 45% expressing faith in his choices—this is his weakest rating since 2019. Interestingly, Trump still garners some support for immigration policy, with nearly half feeling confident in his handling of that area.

Looking at perceptions of U.S. standing on the global stage, half of respondents believe Trump’s policies weaken it compared to Biden’s—though 38% argue that his policies strengthen it. Lastly, the Republican Party’s image has improved; 43% now view it favorably, while the Democratic Party remains stagnant at 38%. In a rapidly shifting political landscape, these surveys provide a snapshot of how polarized opinions shape the current political discourse around the Trump administration.

Original Source: www.pewresearch.org