Despite a turbulent beginning marked by mass firings of government employees, rising egg prices, stock market volatility, and escalating global tariff disputes, Donald Trump’s presidential approval ratings remained relatively stable during his first month in office.
This week, Trump imposed a 25% tariff on steel and aluminum in an effort to address trade imbalances and bolster domestic industry. Canada and several European nations responded quickly with billions of dollars in retaliatory tariffs, intensifying concerns about a widening trade war.
In a recent address to Congress, Trump acknowledged that his presidency was off to a “swift and unrelenting” start. He defended several controversial policies, including immigration crackdowns, intensified border controls, significant government cuts, and his removal of diversity and inclusion programs in public institutions.
Since beginning his second term, Trump’s approval rating has averaged 46% according to Gallup, compared to an average of 41% during his first term. His ratings across both terms have ranged between 34% and 49%, reflecting a historically stable but polarized public response.
A Reuters/Ipsos poll showed that 44% of Americans approved of Trump during his first month back in office. Early data suggested that his support at the time outpaced both his first-term levels and the approval ratings held by former President Joe Biden at similar points.
The same Reuters poll found that 47% approved of Trump’s immigration policy while 42% disapproved, highlighting one of the issues where he maintains comparatively strong support.
According to ABC News’ FiveThirtyEight tracking, 47.7% of Americans currently approve of Trump’s performance, while Congress holds a higher disapproval rate. Vice President JD Vance received slightly more disapproval (42.8%) than approval (40.8%).
A CNN/SSRS poll reported that 54% disapprove of Trump as president, while 45% approve. Support for his tariff policies was notably lower, with only 39% approving and 61% disapproving, suggesting economic concerns may influence future ratings.
