Assessing Trump's Initial Hundred Days: American Perception of Donald Trump's Early Performance as President
In the early days of Donald Trump's second term, he started off with a decent approval rating. However, within just three and a half months, he had squandered this advantage, with his approval rating plunging to -9%. This was a significant drop compared to his first term, where his approval rating also dipped to -9%, but over a longer period.
The economy was one of Trump's weakest points, with his rating falling to -14%, meaning more Americans doubted his ability to handle economic issues than approved. The consumer confidence index was at its lowest since April 2020, and the S&P 500 index witnessed a sharp decline, the worst in half a century. The economic downturn was largely caused by the sweeping tariffs Trump imposed on most countries, which led to economic pessimism and stock market panic.
Economic discontent was not limited to the general public; financial regulators also shared similar sentiments. There was a widespread expectation that inflation would accelerate due to import tariffs. This was not the rosy economic picture Trump had painted during his campaign.
In matters of immigration, Trump managed to fulfill his campaign promise to close the border with Mexico. The number of illegal crossing attempts was at its lowest in four years. However, negative evaluations began to dominate by late April, particularly due to high-profile news stories such as the illegal deportation of Kilmaro Abrego Garcia to El Salvador. Despite the Supreme Court's decision, the Trump administration refused to return him to the US, earning disapproval from a majority of respondents.
The Trump administration was also implementing major reforms of government agencies to reduce budget spending. These reforms were assisted by billionaire Elon Musk and his DOGE team, but were met with dissatisfaction from the American public. A majority of respondents disapproved of Musk's work and believed that waste in the federal government had remained the same or increased.
In foreign policy, Trump's first foreign policy success could have been the ceasefire between Israel and Hamas, but it did not last long. His numerous promises to end the Russia-Ukraine conflict also remained unfulfilled. Only 35% of Americans positively evaluated the president's actions in this regard. Many of his unconventional proposals in this area also lacked support, such as the annexation of Greenland by the United States.
In summary, Trump's second term started off strongly but quickly deteriorated, with negative evaluations dominating across multiple policy areas, including the economy, immigration, and foreign policy. Discontent across these areas reflects a broader pattern of policy disapproval and eroding confidence among less committed supporters, suggesting that Trump's approval rating may continue to decline as the midterms approach. Historically, such early-term ratings often presage further declines during the remainder of a president's term.
Editor's note: The views expressed may not reflect those of the author
Enrichment Data:
Economic Policy:
- Tariff Backlash: 59% of Americans disapprove of Trump's tariff increases, particularly those announced in April targeting China and global partners, causing stock market volatility.
- Economic Confidence: Only 37% believe Trump's policies strengthened the economy versus 49% who say they weakened it – his lowest economic rating since 2019.
Foreign Policy:
- International Standing: 49% say Trump’s policies have weakened America’s global position, compared to 39% who see strengthening.
- Executive Overreach: 51% criticize Trump's reliance on executive orders for policymaking, with 55% disapproval of his administrative cuts.
Governance Style:
- Executive Overreach Criticism: 51% criticize Trump's reliance on executive orders for policymaking, exceeding those who approve (27%).
- Administrative Cuts Disapproval: 55% disapprove of Trump's administrative cuts.
- Despite the economic downturn resulting from Trump's tariff policies, 59% of Americans disapprove of the increased tariffs, particularly those announced in April targeting China and global partners, causing stock market volatility.
- In comparison to his first term, Trump's economic rating plummeted to a lower 37%, with only 37% believing his policies strengthened the economy versus 49% who say they weakened it – the lowest economic rating since 2019.
- Although 49% of Americans believe Trump’s policies have weakened America’s global position, only 39% see his policies as strengthening it.
- Criticism of Trump's reliance on executive orders for policymaking is widespread, with 51% expressing their disapproval.
- Concerning the administration's cuts, 55% disapprove of the administrative cuts implemented by the Trump administration.
- The Trump administration's economic and foreign policy decisions were met with disapproval from the American public, reflecting a broader pattern of policy disapproval.
- Amidst the economic turmoil and policy dissatisfaction, the S&P 500 index experienced a sharp decline, the worst in half a century.
- The Trump administration's economic policies led to a consumer confidence index at its lowest since April 2020, signifying economic pessimism and stock market panic.
- In matters of immigration, 51% criticize the Trump administration's treatment of Kilmaro Abrego Garcia, who was deported illegally to El Salvador, despite the Supreme Court's decision for his return.
- In terms of investing, personal-finance, education-and-self-development, crime-and-justice, politics, general-news, career-development, war-and-conflicts, and sports, the Trump administration's policies and decisions received negative evaluations across various policy areas during his second term.
