Recent polls conducted by major American media outlets, including the Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research, New York Times/Siena College, Fox News, and Washington Post-ABC-Ipsos, indicate a significant erosion of public confidence in President Donald Trump’s second term as he approaches his 100th day in office on May 7, 2025. The surveys, released between April 23 and April 27, 2025, highlight widespread disapproval of Trump’s handling of the economy, immigration, tariffs, and overall leadership, with many Americans describing his tenure as “scary” and accusing him of exceeding presidential powers.
The economy emerges as a critical weak point for Trump, with multiple polls showing historic lows in approval ratings. A New York Times/Siena College poll conducted April 21–24, 2025, among 913 voters reported a 42% overall approval rating, with only 43% approving of Trump’s economic management—a sharp decline from 64% in April 2024 during his first term. Fox News’s April 23 poll found 38% approval on the economy, with 56% disapproving, while 59% disapproved of Trump’s handling of inflation. The Associated Press-NORC poll from April 20–24 revealed that only 40% of Americans approve of Trump’s economic stewardship, with 70% describing the economy as poor, a sentiment unchanged since December 2024.
Trump’s tariff policies, including a 125% levy on Chinese imports and 10% reciprocal tariffs on over 75 countries, face strong opposition. The Washington Post-ABC-Ipsos poll (April 20–25) showed 64% disapproval of Trump’s tariff approach, with 61% in the Times/Siena poll stating presidents should not impose tariffs without congressional approval. An AP-NORC survey noted that 50% of Americans believe tariffs will increase prices significantly, and 30% expect moderate price hikes, fueling recession fears, with 50% “extremely” or “very” concerned about an economic downturn. X posts, such as @spectatorindex, highlighted Trump’s 43% economic approval as his career low, with 55% disapproval.
While immigration was initially a relative strength, recent aggressive policies have eroded support. The AP-NORC poll indicated 46% approval for Trump’s immigration handling, slightly above his 39% overall approval, but down from 50% in March. The Washington Post-ABC-Ipsos poll reported 53% disapproval, with 90% of Democrats, 56% of independents, and 11% of Republicans opposing Trump’s approach, particularly his deportations of legal immigrants, such as pro-Palestinian protest leaders, and 238 migrants to El Salvador’s megaprison without due process. The Times/Siena poll found 63% of voters, including 40% of Republicans, oppose deporting legal immigrants protesting Israel’s actions.
The AP-NORC poll revealed that only 24% of Americans believe Trump is focusing on the right priorities, with 42% of independents and 9% of independents saying he is addressing the wrong issues. Even among Republicans, only 54% approve of his priorities, a narrow majority. Policies like slashing the federal workforce (56% disapproval) and targeting diversity, equity, and inclusion programs (47% opposition) are unpopular, per the Times/Siena poll. The Pew Research Center’s April 7–13 survey noted 59% disapproval of tariff increases and 40% overall approval, with immigration cited as both a liked (20%) and disliked (11%) action.
A majority of voters in the Times/Siena poll (59%) described Trump’s second term as “scary,” with 54% overall disapproval and only 29% approval among independents. Over half (56%) believe Trump is exceeding his presidential powers, a concern echoed in a Reuters/Ipsos poll where 83% said presidents must obey federal court rulings, though some Republicans support defying courts on deportations. Legal challenges, including a Maryland judge’s order to return a Venezuelan deportee from El Salvador, underscore tensions over Trump’s use of an 18th-century wartime law.
Generation Z (born 1995–2012) expressed acute frustration in an NBC Stay Tuned survey, with 69% disapproving of Trump’s handling of the economy and cost of living, citing struggles with rent and homeownership amid inflation fears. Over 90% supported equal due process for foreign students with visas or green cards. Partisan divides are stark: Democrats overwhelmingly view Trump’s policies negatively (90% disapprove of deportations), while Republicans show mixed support, with 70% backing deportations of protest leaders but only 41% approving tariffs, per Harvard CAPS/Harris. Independents, crucial for 2026 midterms, lean heavily against Trump, with only 9% approving his priorities.
The polls, conducted as Trump’s second term nears 100 days, reflect fatigue with policies like tariffs, which Goldman Sachs estimated could raise inflation by 1%, and deportations facing legal pushback. Consumer confidence has plummeted, and stock market volatility has accompanied tariff announcements, per AP-NORC and CBS News. X posts, like @lxeagle17, noted Trump’s economic approval dropping to a net -12, a first for his presidency, driven by tariff skepticism even among supporters. Despite earlier highs, such as a 54% approval in a J.L. Partners/Daily Mail poll (April 10–14), Trump’s ratings have trended downward, with CBS/YouGov showing a -6 net approval by April 13.
The data suggests a polarized public, with Trump retaining a loyal Republican base but alienating independents and Democrats. His administration’s focus on tariffs, deportations, and government cuts, including Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), faces scrutiny, with 56% in the Times/Siena poll saying Trump has “gone too far.” As economic and legal challenges mount, these polls signal potential vulnerabilities for Trump and the GOP ahead of the 2026 midterms, with public sentiment increasingly wary of his aggressive policy shifts.
Leave a comment