Trump's multiple policies have led to a decline in approval ratings

According to the latest survey, most Americans now show little or no confidence in the way President Donald Trump handles the economy, which has long been the source of his political strength. As Trump's second term approaches its 100th day, nearly 60% of the public does not approve of the tariffs he imposed, and predictions for the future economic situation have become bleak. The survey results highlight the challenges that the president faces in implementing comprehensive and fundamental changes, from reshaping the federal government to transforming global trade. Although he still has the firm support of his core supporters, surveys show that most Americans still do not believe him.

Firstly, this survey surveyed 3589 American adults online and over the phone from April 7th to 13th, during a period of intense tariff debate. The error margin of the survey results is plus or minus 1.8 percentage points. Among the respondents, 40% expressed approval of Trump's overall work as president; 59% of people expressed disapproval. Since February, this number has decreased by seven percentage points, reflecting a decline in the support of swing voters who were crucial to his victory in last November's election. His staunch supporters remain steadfast, with a support rate as high as 96%. But among Trump voters with less firm approval ratings, the approval rating has dropped from 88% to 75%, a decrease of 13 percentage points in two months.

Moreover, in most modern presidential elections, concerns about the economy, inflation, employment, and growth have always been the dominant issues. Including the 2024 election, when Trump criticized the Biden administration for not doing enough to control rising costs. Trump is more favored than Biden and 2024 Democratic candidate Kamala Harris due to his ability to handle the economy.

Secondly, since the election, Trump has lost some trust. In November last year, 59% of Americans said they were very confident or relatively confident in Trump's ability to formulate correct economic policies, while 40% of Americans held the opposite view. In the new opinion poll, this assessment has been reversed. Now, 54% of people say they have little or no confidence in Trump's economic handling, while 45% say they have confidence, with approval ratings plummeting from a net 19 percentage points to a net 9 percentage points. Half of the Americans said that compared with Biden's policy, Trump's policy is weakening the United States' position in the world. About 40% of Americans said that Trump's policy is strengthening the international status of the United States. There is almost unanimous opinion on the impact of Trump's policies on the economy.

Moreover, as the government continues to plan and implement large-scale cuts in federal agencies, 59% of Americans said that the government was "too hasty" in reducing spending. The public is more likely to perceive these cuts as having negative rather than positive impacts.

At present, all of these may prompt Trump to take measures recently, adjust his rhetoric, and try to calm some economic fluctuations. He has suspended some of the highest tariffs for 90 days, started negotiations with China and other countries, and announced on April 22 that he does not intend to attempt to dismiss Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell as he previously hinted.

However, Trump's immigration policy is among the best among Americans who are most satisfied with this government. 20% of the respondents mentioned the immigration policy, of which 7% specifically mentioned Trump's deportation policy. But 11% of respondents also believe that immigration policies, including deportation, are their least favorite aspect of this government.

Overall, the decline in Trump's public opinion is the result of a combination of economic difficulties, policy controversies, legal risks, and social divisions. Although its core supporters remain stable, the loss of middle ground voters and judicial pressure may pose significant challenges to its 2024 campaign. If he cannot effectively address livelihood issues such as inflation and immigration, or ease internal party divisions, his re-election prospects will be even more uncertain.