Trump’s Approval Rating Hits Record Low Five Months Into Second Term

Donald Trump has made history — but not in the way he’d hoped. Just five months into his second term, his approval rating has plummeted to a new low, even lower than his first time in office.

A Comeback No One Saw Coming

After the Capitol riots in 2021, many believed Trump’s political career was over. But in a stunning twist, he defeated Kamala Harris in the 2024 election and returned to the White House in January. He promised a fresh start, pledging to reverse many of Joe Biden’s policies. Instead, his administration has quickly become a source of controversy.

Controversy Piles Up

Trump’s latest initiative, dubbed the “Big Beautiful Bill,” sparked a high-profile clash with Elon Musk, who called the legislation an “abomination.” Meanwhile, immigration has remained a hot-button issue. Trump’s response to anti-ICE protests in Los Angeles — following a series of immigration raids — has only heightened tensions between law enforcement and demonstrators.

Public Opinion Turns Sour

A Quinnipiac University poll released on June 11 paints a grim picture for the president. Only 38% of Americans approve of Trump’s job performance, while 54% disapprove. Respondents voiced strong dissatisfaction with his handling of key issues, including the economy, immigration, and the ongoing war in Ukraine.

On the Ukraine conflict, approval dropped even further. Just 34% of Americans support Trump’s approach. Polling analyst Tim Malloy stated,

“As the Russia-Ukraine war grinds through its third year, Americans make it clear they have little appetite for the way the Trump administration is handling the situation.”

Worse Than His First Term

Trump’s current approval ratings look even worse when compared to his first term. In 2017, 42% of Americans approved of his performance after 100 days in office. This time, that number has dropped to 39%, according to a post by Steven Rattner, an economic analyst and New York Times contributor.

Both figures rank at the bottom compared to other modern presidents. In fact, Trump holds the lowest 100-day approval rating in the past 60 years — twice.

Rattner summed it up bluntly:

“Trump’s 100-day-in approval rating is lower than that of any other president in the last 60 years. The next lowest is Trump’s first term.”

A Stark Contrast With Past Presidents

By comparison, Barack Obama had a 69% approval rating after 100 days. Ronald Reagan soared even higher with 73%. These numbers show just how far Trump lags behind his predecessors.