How Trump’s approval rating compares to his presidential predecessors
President Donald Trump is certainly not wasting any time in his second term in the White House. He has been moving at warp speed, making significant changes and issuing a flurry of executive orders since his re-inauguration on January 20, 2025. In a recent address to Congress, Trump boasted that his administration has accomplished more in 43 days than most administrations achieve in four or eight years.
Trump’s aggressive use of executive authority has led to major policy shifts and cuts to the federal workforce. He has signed a total of 129 executive orders so far, overturning longstanding government policies and addressing issues that have been on his agenda since his first term.
Despite his rapid pace and bold actions, public opinion on Trump’s performance is mixed. The latest Gallup poll shows that he has a 44% approval rating, with 53% disapproving of his job as president. This marks a decline from his initial approval ratings when he started his second term.
The primary concerns contributing to Trump’s declining approval ratings are the economy and inflation. A recent tariff announcement by the president triggered a trade war and financial market sell-off, raising fears of a recession. Additionally, Gallup’s data reveals a deep partisan divide, with Republicans overwhelmingly supporting Trump while Democrats are largely disapproving of his presidency.
As Trump approaches the three-month mark of his second term, Gallup compares his approval ratings to those of his predecessors. While his 45% average approval rating is an improvement from his first term, it falls below previous presidents’ ratings during their first quarters in office.
History has shown that strong initial approval ratings do not guarantee a successful presidency. Former presidents like Jimmy Carter and Joe Biden saw their ratings decline over time, leading to their defeat in re-election bids. Biden’s approval ratings plummeted following his handling of the Afghanistan withdrawal and other crises, ultimately leading to his decision not to seek re-election.
Overall, Trump’s rapid pace and controversial actions have elicited mixed reactions from the public. As he continues to push forward with his agenda, only time will tell how his presidency will be remembered in the history books.
