Trump begins second term in stronger position than the first: poll

After a strong start to his second term in the White House, President Donald Trump is enjoying a boost in his approval ratings, according to a recent national poll conducted by Quinnipiac University. The poll, which was conducted from January 23-27, shows that 46% of voters approve of the job the Republican president is doing, while 43% disapprove.

This marks a significant improvement from Trump’s approval ratings at the beginning of his first term in office, when he stood at 36% approval and 44% disapproval. The poll also highlights a stark partisan divide, with 86% of Republicans approving of Trump’s performance, compared to 86% of Democrats who disapprove. Among independents, 41% approve and 46% disapprove.

While Trump’s approval rating for his second term is higher than his first term, it falls below the initial ratings of his predecessor, former President Biden. At the start of Biden’s term in February 2021, he stood at 49% approval and 36% disapproval. Biden’s approval ratings fluctuated throughout his presidency, dipping into negative territory following his handling of the U.S. exit from Afghanistan and other issues.

In his first week and a half back in office, Trump has wasted no time in implementing his agenda, issuing over 350 executive actions and fulfilling campaign promises. His decision to deploy troops to the southern border has garnered support from 60% of voters, while 44% support deporting all undocumented immigrants and 39% support deporting only those convicted of violent crimes.

However, Trump’s pardoning of over 1,500 individuals involved in the January 6th Capitol attack has drawn disapproval from 57% of respondents. Additionally, 53% disapprove of Elon Musk’s prominent role in the new administration, while only 39% approve.

The poll also reflects a shift in public opinion towards the two major political parties. Only 31% of respondents view the Democratic Party favorably, while 57% see it in an unfavorable light. In contrast, 43% have a favorable view of the GOP, marking the highest favorable rating for the party in Quinnipiac polling history.

Overall, the poll surveyed 1019 registered voters nationwide and had a margin of error of plus or minus 3.1 percentage points. Trump’s strong start to his second term signals a potential shift in public sentiment, as he continues to push forward with his agenda and make his mark on the federal government.