American Public Opinion Trends Regarding Trump’s Policies in 2025

Since the beginning of his second term on January 20, 2025, President Donald Trump has faced a state of intense division within public opinion, reflecting the continuation of the polarization that has characterized his political experience since 2016. In the social imagination of Americans, his supporters view him as a leader who fulfills his promises and strengthens the country’s position, while his opponents see him as a divisive factor that deepens internal disagreements and stirs controversy over his policies. Opinion polls reveal the persistence of this divergence in viewpoints.

Divergent Indicators:

The results of the opinion poll present a multi-dimensional picture of President Donald Trump’s performance at the beginning of his second term, as the indicators vary and reveal agreement on some issues and division on others. This is exemplified as follows:

1- Increased Confidence Amidst Continued Partisan Polarization: The results of the “CBS/YouGov” poll conducted from February 5 to 7, 2025, indicate a rise in confidence in Trump’s ability to fulfill his promises, with 70% of respondents affirming that he adheres to his electoral commitments, compared to only 30% who oppose this view. It is noted that this percentage has significantly increased compared to his first term in April 2017, when support reached only 46%. This increase is attributed to the swift actions taken by Trump since the beginning of his second term, as well as the positive image portrayed by respondents in the poll, with 69% describing him as strong, 63% as energetic, and 58% as effective. This surge in confidence suggests the administration’s ability to gain support from a certain base of Americans by fulfilling electoral promises.

In this context, according to the “Gallup” poll conducted from January 21 to 27, 2025, Trump began his second term by signing a record number of executive orders targeting a wide range of policies, including immigration, defense and the military, foreign policy, the environment, and government efficiency. The poll was conducted before his administration announced the suspension of trillions of dollars in federal grants, loans, and aid, a step that was temporarily halted by a judicial ruling before Trump later backed down from it. As a result of these actions, respondents were divided on the speed of his response to major challenges, with 40% considering his pace “appropriate,” while 37% believed he was moving “too quickly,” and only 14% thought he was “not moving fast enough.” While 83% of Republicans considered Trump’s pace appropriate, 61% of Democrats believed he was moving too quickly, while independents’ opinions were close to the national average, without clear bias towards either side. Despite Trump signing a higher number of executive orders than in the first 100 days of his first term, the percentage of respondents who believed he was moving too quickly was higher in 2017 (47%).

The data derived from the Gallup poll also show that Trump began his second term with an approval rating of 47%, lower than most elected presidents since 1953, while the disapproval rating reached 48%, the highest compared to any other American president at the beginning of their term. These percentages reflect the continued intense division in American public opinion regarding Trump, indicating that, as in his first term, he did not enjoy the traditional “honeymoon period” that most new presidents experience. This supports the analysis that Trump faces significant challenges in unifying Americans behind him, despite the enthusiasm his supporters showed during the 2024 election campaign.

This poll reflects the ongoing partisan polarization in evaluating Trump, with 91% of Republicans expressing approval of his performance, compared to only 6% of Democrats and 46% of independents. Despite the fact that the beginning of Trump’s first term also witnessed intense polarization (90% of Republicans compared to 14% of Democrats, a difference of 76 points), this disparity has remained lower than it is now. In comparison, the partisan gaps in evaluating previously elected American presidents ranged from 24 to 56 points, confirming that the Trump era represents an unprecedented state of deep political division in the United States.

On the other hand, the “Pew Research Center” poll published on February 7, 2025 (conducted from January 27 to February 2, 2025) revealed a clear partisan gap in evaluating Trump’s performance, with 84% of Republicans and Republican-leaning independents expressing satisfaction with his performance, compared to only 10% of Democrats and Democratic-leaning independents.

The poll also showed that 92% of Republicans believe he has clear goals for leading the country, while only 55% of Democrats agree. However, the disagreement is not limited to evaluating his current performance but also extends to expectations about the extent of his success in implementing his agenda, with 54% of Republicans believing he will succeed in achieving most or all of his promises, while 39% expect him to implement only some of them. In contrast, Democrats show clear skepticism, with only 23% believing Trump will accomplish most or all of his agenda, while 53% believe he will achieve some of his promises, and 24% believe he will accomplish little or nothing at all.

2- Division over Economic Policies: On the economic front, the “CBS/YouGov” poll shows a clear division in evaluating Trump’s performance. While 66% of respondents believe the president has not focused enough on addressing inflation, only 31% believe he is giving this issue the necessary attention. This challenge is central due to the importance of inflation and rising living costs as one of the biggest concerns affecting citizens’ overall mood. Additionally, the protectionist trade policies pursued by Trump, such as imposing tariffs on major trading partners (such as China, Canada, and Mexico), have also sparked controversy, with 56% supporting tariffs on China, while support decreased to 44% for tariffs on Mexico, 40% on Europe, and 38% on Canada. This variation reflects differing views on the impact of trade policies on the national economy.

3- Relative Support for Immigration and Security Policies: In contrast to the economic front, Trump’s policies in the areas of immigration and security emerged as a strength in the evaluation of respondents. The poll showed that 59% of respondents support his program for deporting illegal immigrants, compared to 41% who oppose it. His project to deploy American forces along the border with Mexico received support at a rate of 64%, confirming that the issue of immigration remains a major concern for respondents and is one of the fundamental pillars of the electoral support base that Trump relied on in his previous campaigns, especially among whites.

4- Divisions on Foreign Policy: The division in the international file is evident in respondents’ evaluation of Trump’s approach to dealing with external conflicts. 54% of respondents supported his handling of the conflict between Israel and Hamas, while 46% rejected it. Meanwhile, support for the idea of the United States taking control of Gaza after the war was weak, with only 13% considering it a “good idea,” compared to 47% who described it as a “bad idea,” while 40% remained without clear bias. These results reflect respondents’ caution about direct intervention in foreign crises, which may affect the future approach of the American administration regarding sensitive international issues.

5- Division over the Role of the Department of Government Efficiency: The role of the Department of Government Efficiency, led by Elon Musk, has sparked a clear division among Americans regarding its impact on federal spending. According to the “CBS/YouGov” poll, 51% of respondents supported the department’s intervention in controlling expenditures, with 23% believing its influence should be “significant,” while 28% believed its impact should be “to some extent.” In contrast, 31% rejected any intervention in these aspects, reflecting the ongoing controversy over its effectiveness and goals. At the party affiliation level, a noticeable difference emerged, with only 30% of Democrats supporting the department’s intervention, while 49% rejected any impact. In contrast, the department received support from 74% of Republicans, reflecting the partisan divergence in attitudes towards reducing the role of the federal government. The controversy escalated after the department announced the closure of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) in early February 2025, an agency established by legislative decision in 1961, making its dissolution require congressional approval. In an attempt to enhance its legitimacy, the department proposes transparency initiatives, but the ongoing controversy over its authority keeps the fate of its decisions, such as closing the agency, subject to legal and political confrontations.

Potential Repercussions:

The divergent indicators at the beginning of Trump’s second term reveal a set of potential repercussions that may affect the course of the coming years, especially in light of the continued partisan division and economic and political challenges facing the administration. This is evident as follows:

1- Complications in the Legislative Landscape: Despite 70% of respondents in the “CBS/YouGov” poll believing that Trump fulfills his electoral promises, translating this percentage into broad political authorization remains a question, especially since the ability to pass legislation depends on the balance of power within Congress, not just on popular support percentages. The economic and foreign policy challenges, characterized by clear divisions in orientations, may make it difficult to achieve broad legislative consensus, pushing Trump to either make concessions on some issues or increasingly resort to executive orders. However, the system of checks and balances in the United States may limit the president’s ability to implement his policies unilaterally, as Congress has the authority to repeal some executive orders through legislation, and federal courts have the authority to suspend or repeal them if they are deemed unconstitutional.

His administration’s record during his first term indicates that the use of executive orders was a preferred means of circumventing legislative gridlock, as happened in issues such as immigration, individual rights, and funding federal projects, although many of these orders faced legal challenges, reflecting the crucial role played by the institutional system in controlling executive power. This may be repeated on a larger scale during his second term, especially in light of continued Democratic opposition and the legislative and judicial institutions’ efforts to limit his influence.

2- Fluctuations in Trump’s Popularity: The economic situation, particularly the issues of inflation and job opportunities, represents a major test for the popularity of American President Donald Trump. While some policies, such as imposing tariffs on China, may enhance the president’s image as a defender of the national economy, the potential consequences of these actions raise fundamental questions about the sustainability of this support, as experiences indicate that imposing tariffs on imports often leads to an increase in the cost of goods, which affects the purchasing power of American families and pushes companies to raise prices, contributing to increased inflationary pressures.

To understand the impact of these policies, one can look back at the experience of the trade war between the United States and China in 2018–2019, when Washington imposed tariffs of 25% on Chinese imports worth $34 billion in July 2018, and Beijing responded with similar measures. This escalation led to price increases for American consumers, as an international report in November 2019 indicated damage to both the American and Chinese economies, including a decline in exports and an increase in production costs.

The American trade deficit in May 2018 reached about $68.4 billion and has remained at levels exceeding $500 billion since 2003, prompting the Trump administration to attempt to reduce it through tariffs. However, the results were not at the expected level. Despite 73% support for the job creation program in the first 100 days of his first term, compared to 77% for Obama’s program, it was not enough to maintain the momentum of popular support in the absence of tangible improvement in living conditions.

If the current economic policies do not achieve clear results, his popularity may decline again, which could affect the 2026 midterm elections and reshape the political landscape before the 2028 elections.

3- Escalation of Controversy over the Department of Government Efficiency: The Department of Government Efficiency, led by Elon Musk, remains the subject of widespread controversy, especially in light of its efforts to close the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), which manages an annual budget of $42.8 billion, representing 1% of the total federal budget, and provides aid to over 130 countries. While the department promotes this step as part of efforts to restructure government spending, it raises questions about the legal and political implications, not only at the domestic American level but also at the level of the United States’ international commitments.

Reports indicate that the department has achieved savings estimated at billions of dollars through measures including halting unnecessary hiring, canceling diversity and inclusion initiatives, and reevaluating foreign payments. Despite these figures, the lack of detailed information about the mechanisms for achieving these savings makes it difficult to verify their effectiveness, especially in light of questions about the impact of these cuts on government performance efficiency. Just as Reagan’s attempts in the 1980s faced legislative resistance that prevented the implementation of broad reforms in the structure of the federal government, and as Bush Jr.’s reforms clashed with funding constraints imposed by the costs of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, the department’s plan faces significant legal obstacles, as the agency cannot be closed without congressional approval, which may lead to legislative and judicial challenges that hinder the implementation of the decision or impose modifications on it. Despite Musk’s defense of these reforms during his joint appearance with Trump in the Oval Office, questions about conflicts of interest persist, especially given the overlap of his government role with his extensive interests in the technology sector. As the controversy continues, the department’s success remains contingent on its ability to overcome political and legal obstacles and prove that its savings reflect actual reform, not just formal cuts in spending.

4- Ambiguity in Foreign Policy: While the Trump administration attempts to reshape the role of the federal government domestically, its approach to foreign policy also reflects a divergence in views on the extent of American intervention in international conflicts. The indicators of the “CBS/YouGov” poll show the continued division in evaluating Trump’s approach to foreign issues, especially regarding dealing with international conflicts. This division reflects a state of caution towards direct military intervention, a trend that has solidified in American public opinion since the military interventions in Iraq and Afghanistan. Despite the Trump administration’s efforts to reduce direct involvement in foreign crises, domestic pressures may push it to adopt more hardline stances on issues such as the conflict between Israel and Hamas or relations with China. In light of this divergence, its foreign policy may be characterized by ambiguity, as it tries to balance between avoiding direct involvement and maintaining the image of global power, which exacerbates uncertainty among allies and adversaries and poses new challenges for the administration.

In conclusion, some opinion poll results may reflect an increase in confidence in Trump’s commitment to fulfilling his electoral promises, but they do not necessarily mean broad acceptance of his policies or agreement on their outcomes. Implementing commitments at the beginning of his second term may be a positive factor in the eyes of some poll respondents, but it is not separate from the broader context that shaped voters’ perception of his political role in the first place. In this context, the intense partisan division does not only reflect disagreements over policies but also expresses divergent perceptions of Trump’s impact on American political identity. Despite the growing confidence in his fulfillment of promises, the biggest challenge does not only lie in implementing his political agenda but also in his ability to change entrenched perceptions about him among his opponents, which remains a question in light of the sharp partisan differences and ongoing polarization.

These results reveal that the polarization around Trump is not just a direct reflection of his policies but is part of broader dynamics that have formed over the past years. While his supporters see his decisions as reflecting a commitment to his promises, his opponents view them as an extension of a political style that increases polarization, especially in economic and foreign policy issues. The significance of these indicators is contingent on their ability to withstand the tests of reality, as they are not limited to immediate political readings but extend to the economic and social impacts that reshape Trump’s position in the American landscape. However, these trends are not fixed, as they may be influenced by upcoming political developments, as well as by Trump’s ability to reshape his political image in the minds of the American people. Just as current polls reflect deep-rooted polarization, the 2026 midterm elections may be a pivotal moment in reevaluating Trump’s position within the American political landscape, either as a symbol of ongoing change or as a transitional phase in American political history.