Today's News: Multiple Polls Show Widespread Disapproval of Trump's Performance
Approval ratings are at historic lows for a president at this point in office, though Trump's core Republican base largely remains supportive.
Photo: Demetrius Freeman/The Washington Post
Overview
Date: April 25–27, 2025
Topic: Public Disapproval of Trump's Performance Approaching 100 Days into His Second Term
Summary: As President Donald Trump nears the 100-day milestone of his second term, multiple polls show widespread disapproval of his performance across key issues, including the economy, immigration, and government management. Approval ratings are at historic lows for a president at this point in office, with independent voters especially critical. Economic anxiety, dissatisfaction with aggressive executive actions, and perceptions of chaos dominate public sentiment, though Trump's core Republican base largely remains supportive.
Sources
The New York Times: Five Takeaways From the Times/Siena Poll on Trump
CNN: CNN Poll: Trump’s approval at 100 days lower than any president in at least seven decades
NBC News: Poll: Americans vent disappointment with Trump ahead of his 100th day, especially on tariffs
The Washington Post: Trump approval sinks as Americans criticize his major policies, poll finds
The Wall Street Journal: Voters on How Trump Has Already Changed Their Day-to-Day Lives
Fox News did not have any recent reporting on polls or approval ratings.
Key Points
Trump’s approval ratings (ranging from 39–42%) are the lowest for a president at the 100-day mark in modern history.
Economic concerns dominate, with voters citing inflation, tariffs, and cost-of-living increases, eroding Trump's traditional economic strength.
Independent voters disapprove of Trump by large margins, and even some Republican-leaning independents are turning away.
Public perception leans toward Trump overreaching executive authority and moving the country away from its founding principles.
Despite the broader disapproval, Trump retains strong support among core Republican voters, especially on immigration issues.
Unique Highlights
The New York Times emphasized that voters see Trump’s presidency as "chaotic" and "scary," and noted sharp declines in approval even among independents.
CNN uniquely reported that Trump’s approval on handling gender identity issues was narrowly positive, a rare bright spot amid general disapproval.
NBC News highlighted emotional reactions, with "angry" and "furious" outweighing positive sentiments like "happy" and "thrilled" among respondents.
The Washington Post detailed public concern over Trump’s alleged disregard for the rule of law, with majorities siding with federal judges against administration policies.
The Wall Street Journal offered voter testimonials showing how Trump's economic and social policies affect everyday life, including struggles with tariffs, DEI program cuts, and healthcare costs.
Contrasting Details
The New York Times described some Republican voters embracing the "chaotic" label as positive, while NBC News emphasized overwhelming negativity in emotional responses across the public.
CNN reported a slim majority approving of Trump’s gender identity policies, while The Washington Post and NBC News largely portrayed social policy changes as unpopular.
The Washington Post noted Trump retains more trust than congressional Democrats on major issues, a nuance not covered by CNN, NBC News, or The New York Times, which focused more exclusively on disapproval trends.
The Wall Street Journal offered a more nuanced view by showcasing both voters hurt by Trump’s policies and those hopeful about long-term benefits, while other sources overwhelmingly portrayed public sentiment as negative.
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