Trump’s Approval Ratings Remain Low Amid Policy Scrutiny
As the first week of May concluded, President Donald Trump continued to grapple with persistently low approval ratings, mirroring a trend that began during his first term. A barrage of polls released in the preceding week, coinciding with the symbolic milestone of his first 100 days in office on April 29, painted a clear picture of widespread dissatisfaction with his performance among the American populace. These numbers placed him among the least popular presidents in recent history at this stage of their presidencies, a distinction he previously held during his initial stint in the White House.
The past week was characterized by a flurry of activity within the administration. There were notable reshuffles in key agency positions, signaling potential shifts in policy direction. A highly anticipated meeting with Canada’s newly elected leader in the Oval Office generated significant media attention, particularly given the complex relationship between the two nations. Trump’s prolific use of social media remained a constant source of news, with posts touching on the creation of new national holidays and hints at potential tax increases.
Furthermore, the President continued to engage in contentious negotiations with various nations and industries regarding his administration’s aggressive import tariffs. These policies, designed to protect American industries, have drawn criticism from some quarters, with concerns raised about their potential impact on global trade and consumer prices.
Despite this whirlwind of activity and policy maneuvering, Trump’s approval rating has remained largely stagnant. Averages compiled from multiple polls show only marginal fluctuations, suggesting that recent events have done little to sway public opinion significantly.
According to data aggregated by RealClearPolitics, Trump’s approval rating stood at 45.2% as of the first week of May. However, this figure excludes a poll released on May 9 by the Associated Press and the NORC Center for Public Affairs Research, which indicated a disapproval rating of 51.1% for the President. Just a week prior, on May 2, the RealClearPolitics aggregate showed an approval rating of 45%, highlighting the lack of substantial movement in either direction.
Another aggregation, compiled by The New York Times, presented a similar picture. This analysis included the AP-NORC poll while excluding a recent survey from the right-leaning Rasmussen Reports. The Times’ aggregation found that 44% of Americans approved of Trump’s performance, while 51% disapproved. This represented a slight two-point increase in favorability compared to their average on May 2, which registered a 42% approval rating and a 52% disapproval rating.
A closer look at the individual polls revealed further insights into the public’s perception of Trump’s presidency.
The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research survey, which also delved into Americans’ views on higher education and Trump’s actions regarding university funding, found that public opinion on these issues aligned with his overall approval rating. A majority of respondents disapproved of Trump’s handling of matters related to colleges and universities.
Specifically, 60% of adults expressed disapproval of Trump’s policies on higher education. This sentiment was particularly strong among Democrats and independents, who were significantly more likely to disapprove than approve of the President’s actions in this area. The survey, conducted between May 1 and 5, involved 1,175 U.S. adults and had a margin of error of ±4 percentage points.
In addition to questions about higher education, the AP-NORC poll also touched on the state of the economy. When asked whether the U.S. was currently in a recession, 40% of respondents said yes, while 35% said no. A significant proportion, 25%, indicated that they were unsure. This uncertainty underscores the mixed signals surrounding the economy, with some indicators pointing to continued growth while others raise concerns about a potential downturn.
Another survey, conducted by Morning Consult, focused on public sentiment toward Trump’s trade policies. The results indicated that voters were significantly more likely to disapprove than approve of his handling of trade, with a difference of 7 percentage points. Morning Consult characterized this as a record low in trade policy approvals in surveys conducted since Trump took office in January. The survey polled 1,850 U.S. adults between May 2 and 5 and had a margin of error of ±3.5 percentage points.
A third survey, conducted by another organization, also explored voters’ opinions on Trump’s performance. This survey, which polled 2,263 registered voters between May 2 and 4 and had a margin of error of ±2 percentage points, further corroborated the trend of lukewarm approval ratings.
Taken together, these polls paint a consistent picture of a president facing significant challenges in winning over the American public. While his base remains loyal, a substantial portion of the population expresses dissatisfaction with his performance across a range of issues, from trade and the economy to higher education. The persistence of these low approval ratings raises questions about the political headwinds Trump may face as he navigates the remainder of his term and prepares for future elections. The lack of significant movement in approval numbers despite a week of high-profile events suggests that deeply ingrained perceptions of the President are difficult to shift.
