As President Donald Trump reaches the 100-day milestone of his presidency, a flurry of new polls reveals a complex and somewhat concerning landscape for his administration. While Trump is seeing slightly higher approval ratings than during his first term, these numbers are still significantly lower than those enjoyed by his predecessors. His approval ratings hover in the low-to-mid-40s, far from the honeymoon phase typically experienced by new presidents.
Approval Rating
Trump’s approval rating at the 100-day mark shows a clear trend: it’s slightly better than during his first term, but it has dipped compared to recent months. According to the latest NBC News Stay Tuned Poll powered by SurveyMonkey, 45% of adults approve of Trump’s job performance, while 55% disapprove. Among Republicans, 88% approve, but independents (68%) and Democrats (93%) are overwhelmingly negative.
Other recent polls echo these findings. The CNBC All-America Economic Survey found an approval rating of 44% among American adults, with 51% disapproving. Fox News reported similar numbers, with 44% approval and 55% disapproval among registered voters. Gallup’s most recent survey showed a 44% approval rating and a 53% disapproval rating.
Despite these numbers, Trump’s approval ratings are lower than those of previous presidents. His average approval rating of 45% in the first quarter of 2025, according to Gallup, is well below the 59% average for all presidents since World War II, including Joe Biden’s 56% approval rating at a similar point in 2021.
Economy
Trump’s handling of the economy, a key issue in his 2024 campaign, is showing signs of wavering public support. A New York Times/Siena College poll found that 50% of registered voters believe Trump has made the economy worse since taking office, with only 21% saying he has improved it.
Trump’s economic approval rating is near the lowest marks in recent polling, with a 43% approval rating in the April CNBC All-America Economic Survey and 44% in the March NBC News poll. Both CNBC and NBC News polls found that Trump’s approval rating on handling inflation and the cost of living is near 40%, with 57% of Americans believing the U.S. is either headed for a recession or already in one.
Trump’s sweeping tariff proposals have also drawn significant criticism. The NBC News Stay Tuned poll found that 61% of Americans disapprove of his handling of trade and tariffs, with 54% expecting his tariff policies to worsen their personal finances in the next year.
Immigration
Immigration, a signature issue for Trump since his first presidential campaign, remains a strong point for him, though recent polls show some slippage. The NBC News Stay Tuned survey found that 49% of Americans approve of Trump’s handling of border security and immigration, though 51% disapprove. The New York Times/Siena College poll reported similar numbers, with 47% approval and 51% disapproval.
However, some polls show warning signs. The Fox News poll found that while 55% of registered voters approved of Trump’s performance on border security, his numbers were worse on immigration and deportations, with the public split on these issues.
Musk and DOGE
The early weeks of Trump’s second term were marked by a significant effort to reduce the size of the federal government, led by billionaire White House adviser Elon Musk and the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE). Musk’s involvement has been met with broad public disapproval. The NBC News Stay Tuned survey found that 59% of adults have unfavorable views of Musk, while 41% view him favorably. A majority of registered voters (55%) in the Wall Street Journal survey said Musk has “too much power.”
Voters have also expressed concerns about DOGE’s approach to cutting federal departments and agencies. The Fox News poll found registered voters divided over whether DOGE will lead to a more efficient government or economic improvements. Pew Research found that 59% of adults say Trump’s approach to cutting federal departments is too careless.
Other Issues
Trump’s efforts to dismantle federal programs related to diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) have also drawn criticism. The NBC News Stay Tuned poll found that 61% of adults disapprove of Trump’s handling of DEI efforts, with nearly two-thirds saying these programs are beneficial to the country.
On foreign policy, Trump has also received negative marks. The CNBC survey found that 53% of Americans disapprove of his handling of foreign policy, while 42% approve. The New York Times/Siena College survey reported that 54% of registered voters disapprove of Trump’s handling of foreign conflicts, including 56% who disapprove of his handling of the war between Russia and Ukraine.
As Trump’s first 100 days come to a close, the polls paint a mixed picture of his administration’s performance. While he has seen some support on issues like border security and immigration, his handling of the economy, tariffs, and federal programs has drawn significant criticism. With approval ratings lower than those of his predecessors, Trump faces a challenging road ahead in his second term.