Former President Donald Trump’s return to the White House has been met with a flurry of activity, from fulfilling campaign promises to issuing controversial pardons. But What Are The Polls Saying Today about his second term? Early polling data reveals a mixed bag of support and opposition, offering a glimpse into the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead for his presidency.
Initial Approval Ratings Higher Than First Term
Trump begins his second term with higher approval ratings than his first. While pre-inaugural polls in 2017 showed positive ratings hovering around 38-42%, recent polls from Fox News and The Wall Street Journal indicate a 50% favorable rating among registered voters. However, these numbers are essentially split, with an equal percentage viewing him unfavorably. This suggests a deeply polarized electorate and underscores the challenges in unifying the country.
Public Opinion Divided on Expectations and Key Issues
Public opinion is divided on what to expect from Trump’s second term. A CNN poll reveals 56% of American adults anticipate a good or fairly good presidency, while 43% expect a poor or very poor one. These numbers are slightly lower than pre-inaugural expectations for Joe Biden in 2021 but show a slight improvement from Trump’s own pre-inaugural numbers in 2017.
Key policy issues further highlight the division. While the economy remains a top concern for Americans, Trump’s early actions have focused on immigration and pardons, specifically the sweeping pardon for those involved in the January 6th Capitol riot.
Pardons and Immigration: Opportunities and Peril
Polls indicate greater public acceptance of Trump’s deportation efforts compared to the January 6th pardons. The Wall Street Journal poll found only 38% of registered voters supported blanket pardons for all January 6th defendants.
On immigration, a majority favors widespread deportations, with The Wall Street Journal reporting 52% support for detaining and deporting undocumented immigrants. However, support significantly decreases when considering specific scenarios. Deporting long-term, tax-paying undocumented immigrants without criminal records faces 70% opposition. Similarly, deporting undocumented immigrants with American-born children is opposed by 57%.
Foreign Policy and Transgender Issues
In alignment with Trump’s “America First” rhetoric, 60% of adults in a New York Times/Ipsos poll agree the U.S. should prioritize domestic problems over international affairs. Majorities also believe the U.S. provides excessive aid to Ukraine and Israel.
Regarding transgender issues, Americans are divided on societal accommodation, with 49% believing society has gone too far. However, there is overwhelming support (79%) for banning transgender women from women’s sports and significant support (71%) for restricting access to gender-affirming care for minors.
Historical Presidential Approval Trends
While Trump’s initial approval ratings are higher than his first term, history demonstrates the fleeting nature of presidential honeymoons. An analysis of NBC News polling across the past five presidencies reveals how quickly approval can decline. Presidents Biden, Obama, and Clinton all experienced significant drops in approval within their first year. While Trump’s approval ratings remained relatively stable during his first term, it remains to be seen whether this trend will continue. The current political climate and the controversial nature of his early actions suggest potential volatility in public opinion.
In conclusion, today’s polls paint a complex picture of public opinion on Donald Trump’s second term. While he enjoys a slight bump in initial approval compared to his first term, deep divisions persist on key issues. The coming months will be crucial in determining whether he can maintain this level of support or if, as history suggests, his approval will decline. The polls will undoubtedly continue to be a key indicator of his presidency’s trajectory.
