As President Donald Trump reaches the 100-day milestone of his presidency, new polling reveals troubling signs on key issues like the economy and government size reduction.
Trump’s approval ratings are slightly higher than they were at this point in his first term, bolstered by growing Republican unity behind him. However, his approval in the low-to-mid 40s is far from the strong honeymoon ratings seen by his predecessors.
He has also lost ground on the economy, with growing dissatisfaction over his handling of inflation and his aggressive push for global tariffs, which have unsettled the stock market and disrupted international alliances. While immigration continues to be one of Trump’s strongest issues in most surveys, several recent polls show a decline in his public support.
Here’s a closer look at what the polls reveal about Trump’s job performance today.
Approval Rating:
Trump’s approval rating at the 100-day mark shows a mixed picture. It’s slightly higher than during his first term, according to most polls, but it has dropped compared to earlier this year, and he remains below the approval ratings of his predecessors at a similar point in office.
In the NBC News Stay Tuned Poll powered by SurveyMonkey, 45% of adults approve of Trump’s job performance, while 55% disapprove. Among Republicans, 88% approve and 12% disapprove. However, independents and Democrats are overwhelmingly negative—68% of independents and 93% of Democrats disapprove.
Older Americans, white Americans, and those with lower education levels are more likely to support Trump, while younger voters, highly educated individuals, and nonwhite voters show more disapproval. Black voters, in particular, have a more negative view compared to Hispanic voters.
Other recent polls confirm a similar approval range. The CNBC All-America Economic Survey this month found Trump’s approval at 44% with 51% disapproval, and Fox News reported 44% approval among registered voters and 55% disapproval. Gallup’s April poll showed 44% approval and 53% disapproval. Trump’s lowest approval rating came from an ABC News/Washington Post/Ipsos survey, which found 39% approval and 55% disapproval. His highest approval in April was 47% in a CBS News/YouGov poll, though still with a 53% disapproval.
Despite some improvements over his first term, Trump’s approval rating is still well below that of past presidents. Gallup’s 2025 first-quarter average approval for Trump sits at 45%, far below the 59% average approval of presidents since World War II, including Joe Biden, who had a 56% approval rating in 2021.
Economy:
Trump himself cited rising prices as a key factor in his 2024 election victory, but his handling of the economy shows signs of strain. A New York Times/Siena College poll revealed that 50% of registered voters believe Trump has worsened the economy since taking office, while 21% feel he has improved it and 27% think it’s unchanged.
Trump’s approval ratings on the economy are low, with CNBC’s April survey at 43% and NBC News’ March poll at 44%, both among the lowest of his terms. On inflation and cost of living, Trump’s approval remains near 40%, while 57% of Americans believe the country is headed for—or is already in—a recession.
Trump’s aggressive stance on global tariffs has also caused concern. The NBC News Stay Tuned Poll found 61% of Americans disapprove of his handling of trade and tariffs, with only 39% approving. Moreover, 54% of respondents believe his tariff policies will negatively affect their personal finances in the coming year.
Polling from Pew shows a lack of confidence in Trump’s ability to negotiate favorable trade deals or manage tax policy, with many Americans believing his policies are harming the economy.
Immigration:
Immigration continues to be one of Trump’s strongest issues, with many polls showing that he fares best in this area. In the NBC News Stay Tuned survey, 49% approve of his handling of immigration and border security, though 51% disapprove. His support among Republicans remains high, but recent polls show a more mixed picture across other demographics.
The New York Times/Siena College poll found 47% approval and 51% disapproval of his immigration policies. On specific border issues, the CNBC survey showed stronger support: 53% approve of his handling of the southern border, and 52% approve of his deportation policies.
However, other polls show signs of dissatisfaction, particularly with deportation policies. A Fox News survey found Trump’s numbers on immigration and deportations are divided, and a Wall Street Journal poll revealed mixed support for deporting undocumented immigrants, with significant opposition to deporting long-term residents with no criminal records.
Musk and DOGE:
A major focus of Trump’s second term has been his effort to reduce the size of the federal government, with Elon Musk leading the charge through the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE). However, Musk remains unpopular, with 59% of adults in the NBC News Stay Tuned survey holding an unfavorable view of him, and 55% in a Wall Street Journal poll saying he has too much power.
Voters are divided over whether DOGE’s efforts to shrink the federal government will lead to greater efficiency. While some support the idea, a significant portion (59%) of Americans in Pew’s polling believe Trump’s cuts to government programs are too reckless. The general public seems wary of a slash-and-burn approach, with varying opinions on whether DOGE’s work should continue or slow down for better assessment.
Other Issues:
Trump has also faced criticism for his efforts to dismantle diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs. The NBC News Stay Tuned poll found 61% of adults disapprove of his handling of DEI efforts, with 39% approving. A majority of Americans (nearly two-thirds) believe DEI programs in workplaces and schools are beneficial, while 35% view them as harmful.
On foreign policy, Trump is also struggling, with 53% of Americans disapproving of his handling of foreign affairs and 42% approving, according to the CNBC survey. In particular, 56% of respondents disapproved of his handling of the war in Ukraine.
Trump’s first 100 days in office show mixed results, with certain signature issues still drawing significant support, while others like the economy and immigration policies show signs of eroding public confidence.
