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

As President Trump nears 100 days into his second term, approval ratings have dropped to 40%, reflecting a 7-point decline since February. GOP support remains strong, but many of his key policies, such as tariffs and budget cuts, face majority disapproval. Additionally, a strong bipartisan belief exists that the Trump administration should comply with federal court rulings, especially in regard to potential illegal actions.

As President Donald Trump approaches the 100-day milestone of his second term, recent data reveals a significant decline in his job approval ratings. According to a survey by the Pew Research Center, only 40% of Americans currently approve of his job performance, down 7 percentage points since February. Despite strong support from his loyal base, many of his major policy actions, especially concerning tariffs and government cuts, are viewed unfavorably by the wider public.

Specifically, the survey highlights that a substantial 59% of Americans disapprove of the administration’s tariff increases while just 39% approve. Similarly, 55% express disapproval regarding funding cuts to federal departments and agencies, with only 44% showing support. There’s also notable criticism surrounding Trump’s use of executive orders; 51% of the population believes he relies too much on this method to set policy.

The timing of this survey is important. It was conducted shortly after Trump’s announcement of significant new tariffs on numerous U.S. trading partners on April 2, leading to some turmoil in both U.S. and global stock markets. Notably, despite his subsequent decision to pause tariffs on most countries while imposing higher rates on China, public opinion remained relatively unchanged throughout the survey period.

Interestingly, there’s a strong bipartisan feeling that the Trump administration should heed federal court rulings. Around 78% believe that federal court rulings should be honored, with that number jumping to 88% if the ruling comes from the Supreme Court. Notably, 91% of Democrats and 65% of Republicans agree that the administration should halt actions deemed illegal by a court, indicating an unusual convergence in public sentiment across party lines.

The survey, which included responses from 3,589 adults between April 7-13, shows stark partisan divides regarding Trump’s overall performance and specific policy issues. While 75% of Republicans approve of his job performance, a staggering 93% of Democrats disapprove. Similar trends are evident in evaluations of tariff policies and cuts to government spending, with many Democrats showing overwhelmingly negative views.

When comparing Trump’s current approval ratings to his predecessors, he stands at 40%, juxtaposed with Bill Clinton’s 49% during a similar period in 1993. Notably, Joe Biden’s rating reached 59% in April 2021, before seeing a significant drop as the months passed.

Public sentiment about the administration’s immigration policies is mixed. Around 20% of respondents cite immigration actions as something they appreciate, yet 11% also mention these actions as troubling. The approach Trump has taken to governing, with descriptors like “carelessness” noted by many, creates a complex view of public sentiment.

Additionally, as the administration moves forward with cuts to federal agencies, 59% of Americans consider these cuts “too careless”. A little more than half believe these cuts will lead to a poorer-running government, while a smaller portion sees potential cost savings.

The economic outlook among Americans appears to be dimming. Although current evaluations have held steady since February, a notable 45% now predict the economy will worsen in the coming year, up from just 37%. Meanwhile, Trump’s confidence ratings regarding economic decisions dip to their lowest in recent years, showcasing a shift in public perception as well. Nevertheless, he still retains relatively higher ratings on immigration policies compared to his overall scores. Interestingly, a recent shift showed more favorability towards the GOP, with 43% of individuals viewing the party positively, in stark contrast to 38% who favor the Democratic party.

Original Source: www.pewresearch.org