As Donald Trump approaches the 100-day milestone of his second term as president, a series of recent national polls indicate a significant decline in public support, with his approval ratings dropping to levels not seen for any newly elected president in over 70 years. The downturn comes as Americans express heightened scepticism about his administration’s sweeping policy changes and the direction in which he is steering the country.
Trump entered office this year enjoying a brief surge in popularity, but that momentum has quickly dissipated. According to a CNN/SSRS poll, only 41% of Americans currently approve of his performance in office.
The Washington Post-ABC News-Ipsos poll reports an even lower approval rating of 39%, while an NBC News survey shows a slightly higher figure at 45%. These numbers represent a steep drop from the early days of his term and are accompanied by a record low percentage of Americans who say they “strongly approve” of his presidency. In contrast, 45% of respondents in the same polls say they “strongly disapprove,” showing the deep polarisation that continues to define Trump’s time in office.
The decline in support is evident across a wide range of demographic groups. Women and Hispanic Americans have shown particularly sharp drops in approval, with both groups registering a 7-point decrease since the start of the year, now standing at 36% and 28% respectively. Among Asian Americans, approval has fallen from 47% in February to just 29%.
The partisan divide remains stark, with 86% of Republicans still expressing approval, compared to only 7% of Democrats. Among independents, a group that proved pivotal in the last election, just 31% now approve of Trump’s job performance.
Economic management, once a cornerstone of Trump’s appeal, has become a growing source of public concern. The Washington Post-ABC News-Ipsos poll finds that 61% of Americans disapprove of Trump’s handling of the economy, a sentiment echoed by widespread anxiety over his tariff policies and their impact on financial markets.
The CNN/SSRS survey reveals that only 52% of Americans have confidence in Trump’s ability to manage the economy, a significant 13-point drop since December. Nearly three-quarters of respondents believe that his economic policies are likely to trigger a recession in the near future, reflecting mounting unease about the administration’s approach to fiscal matters.
Trump’s reliance on executive orders and his assertive use of presidential authority have also drawn criticism. More than half of Americans believe he is overusing executive powers, while only a quarter feel he is exercising them appropriately. This perception is reinforced by the unprecedented number of legal challenges his administration has faced—by late April, more than 200 lawsuits had been filed against Trump’s executive actions, with nearly 100 court rulings at least temporarily blocking or delaying his policies. Concerns about a potential constitutional crisis between the executive branch and the judiciary are widespread, with two-thirds of Americans expressing apprehension about the balance of power in Washington.
Immigration, a hallmark issue of Trump’s presidency, is now a liability for his administration. Approval for his handling of immigration has dropped to 46%, with 53% disapproving—a reversal from the early weeks of his second term, when public opinion was more evenly split. While some measures, such as increased deportations and heightened military presence at the border, retain a degree of support, other initiatives like cutting federal funds to so-called “sanctuary cities” and suspending asylum applications are far less popular with the public.
On other key issues, Trump faces majority disapproval as well. 59% of Americans disapprove of his recent tariff increases, while 55% oppose cuts to federal agencies. When it comes to trade and inflation, 61% are dissatisfied with his approach to tariffs and trade policy, and 60% disapprove of his handling of inflation and the rising cost of living.
The overall public mood is one of scepticism and concern about the country’s trajectory under Trump’s leadership. Half of those surveyed believe his policies are weakening the United States’ global standing, and the ongoing confrontations between the executive branch and the courts have fuelled anxieties about the health of American democracy.