A Year Into Trump’s Return: What Americans Really Think

As the 12-month mark of Donald Trump’s second inauguration approaches, a new report reveals how Americans truly view his performance. Trump returned to the White House in January as the 47th President, and he immediately launched a wave of policy changes.

Major Shifts at Home and Abroad

Over the past 11 months, Trump has reversed policies on immigration, the economy, and global trade. His new tariffs triggered major disruptions, and the federal government endured the longest shutdown in U.S. history, spanning October to November.

He also inserted himself into global conflicts. Notably, he met with Russian President Vladimir Putin in an effort to address the war in Ukraine.

At home, Trump deployed National Guard troops to major U.S. cities to crack down on what he called rising crime.

Approval Ratings Fall to Near Record Lows

Despite his active agenda, Trump’s approval ratings have continued to crumble. In October, more than 1,000 Americans surveyed gave him a 63 percent disapproval rating—just shy of his all-time low of 66 percent after the January 2021 Capitol riots.

Last month, a Reuters/Ipsos poll showed rising frustration over the cost-of-living crisis and the administration’s slow handling of the Jeffrey Epstein file releases.

A Small Rebound, but Deep Concerns Remain

A new New York Times poll shows a slight rebound, with Trump at 42 percent approval and 55 percent disapproval as of December 5. However, economic concerns continue to dominate. Only 26 percent of respondents believed he was managing the cost of living well.

Even his base is wavering. A Marquette University poll found Republican support for his economic decisions slipping from 82 percent in July to 75 percent now.

Comparing Trump to Biden

Polls show Trump performing worse at this stage than Joe Biden did. A recent Gallup survey found Trump’s strongest ratings in crime (43 percent), foreign affairs (41 percent), foreign trade (39 percent), and immigration (37 percent). Yet key demographics, including white, college-educated men, have also cooled toward him.

Meanwhile, an Economist/YouGov poll recorded Trump’s net approval at -15 or lower for seven straight weeks—something that didn’t happen during his first term. By comparison, Biden sat at -9 at the same point in his presidency.

Trouble Ahead for Republicans

To make matters worse for Trump, former President Barack Obama remains far more popular among voters than both Trump and Biden.

The broader outlook also spells trouble for the Republican Party. New polls suggest Democrats hold a clear advantage heading into next year’s midterms: 55 percent of Americans say they’re likely to vote blue, compared to 41 percent who plan to back a Republican candidate.