Donald Trump’s approval rating is low at 100 days
At 100 days, Donald Trump contends with low approval ratings and significant partisan divides. As President Donald Trump approaches the 100-day mark of his second term, there is a clear indication of a decline in public support. A Pew Research Center survey, conducted from April 7-13 among 3,589 adults, reveals that only 40 per cent of Americans approve of Trump’s job performance. That represents a decline of seven percentage points from February. Despite robust support from his core base, numerous key policy decisions made by Trump are perceived unfavorably by the broader public.
Numerous decisions made by Trump have elicited a greater amount of criticism than commendation:
- Tariff hikes: 59 percent disapprove, while 39 percent approve. – Government cuts: 55 percent disapprove, and 44 percent support the reductions.
- Executive orders: More than half (51 per cent) of respondents believe that Trump is overly dependent on executive orders, while 27 per cent consider his approach to be appropriate, and merely 5 per cent assert that he is utilizing them insufficiently.
Legal challenges have ensued in response to numerous actions, and a significant majority of Americans hold the view that court rulings ought to be respected. A notable 78 per cent of US citizens assert that the Trump administration ought to comply if a federal court determines one of its actions to be illegal. The percentage increases to 88 per cent when the decision is rendered by the Supreme Court.
This perspective transcends political affiliations. Among Democrats, 91 percent express support for adhering to federal court rulings, with this figure rising to 95 percent for Supreme Court decisions. According to the Pew Research Center survey, 65 per cent of Republicans believe that the administration should cease an action if it is blocked by a lower court, with this figure increasing to 82 per cent in the case of Supreme Court rulings.
Despite an overall approval rating of 40 per cent, support for Trump among Republicans continues to be robust:
- 75 percent express approval of his overall performance
- 78 percent endorse reductions in government spending – 70 percent favor increased tariffs
- 78 per cent support the termination of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) policies within federal agencies
Conversely, Democrats exhibit significant disapproval: – 93 per cent disapprove of Trump’s job performance – 89 per cent oppose government cuts – 90 per cent disapprove of tariffs – 86 per cent are against ending DEI initiatives Trump’s current approval rating reflects his position during the first 100 days of his initial term. Traditionally, a significant number of presidents have experienced majority approval during this initial phase. The sole outlier prior to Trump was Bill Clinton, who recorded a 49 per cent approval rating in April 1993. In April 2021, President Joe Biden enjoyed a 59 per cent approval rating; however, this figure declined to 44 per cent by September of the same year.
When inquired about their greatest appreciation for Trump’s actions, immigration policies were cited most frequently. Approximately 20 percent referenced immigration, with 7 percent explicitly commending deportation initiatives. Nonetheless, immigration emerged as a significant concern, with 11 percent indicating it as their least favored aspect, according to the survey. His approach to governance elicited a range of responses. Approximately 22 percent expressed discontent with Trump’s approach, citing ‘carelessness’, staffing decisions, and authoritarian tendencies as key concerns. Simultaneously, 11 per cent commended him for ‘keeping promises’ or ‘getting things done’.
Tariffs and government cuts emerged as contentious issues — 15 per cent and 11 per cent respectively identified them as drawbacks, whereas 6 per cent and 9 per cent expressed approval. Public sentiment is becoming more unfavorable concerning Trump’s suggested reductions to federal agencies. A significant portion of the population, specifically 59 per cent, holds the view that the cuts are being implemented with excessive recklessness. Half (51 per cent) believe these cuts will deteriorate government operations, whereas 48 per cent contend they will ultimately incur costs for Americans.
Confidence in Trump’s economic decision-making has also declined, with 45 per cent expressing confidence — his lowest score on this measure since 2019. Nonetheless, it continues to exceed Biden’s economic ratings during his time in office, the survey indicated. Immigration continues to be Trump’s most robust issue, with 48 percent indicating confidence in his management of the matter.
Half of Americans believe Trump’s policies are undermining the US’s global standing, whereas 38 percent contend that they are bolstering it. The assessments regarding the economic ramifications of his policies exhibit a comparable trend. Meanwhile, the Republican Party is making strides in public opinion. At present, 43 per cent express a favourable opinion of the GOP — a notable improvement compared to recent years. In contrast, merely 38 per cent hold a favorable view of the Democratic Party, exhibiting minimal variation over time.
