President Donald Trump’s approval rating has decreased as he nears the 100-day milestone of his second term. Recent polls indicate he is performing worse than previous 21st-century presidents at similar stages in their terms.
The latest Fox News poll reports Trump’s approval rating at 44%, with a net approval of -11 points (44% approve minus 55% disapprove). This marks a decrease from the 49% approval he held in March, according to the same poll.
More concerning for Trump is that his current approval rating is lower than during his first term at this juncture. Previously, he had a 45% approval rating at the 100-day mark, indicating poorer performance in his second term.
Trump lags behind past presidents at a similar point in their presidencies, according to the Fox News poll. Former President Joe Biden had a 54% approval rating, Barack Obama was at 62%, and George W. Bush had 63% approval at their 100-day marks.
Trump has criticized Fox News’ polling, stating that the “pollster has gotten me, and MAGA, wrong for years,” as reported in various outlets.
The decline in approval is largely attributed to economic issues, a stark contrast to Trump’s first term when the economy was a strong point. The Reuters/Ipsos poll shows only 37% of Americans approve of Trump’s economic handling, while the Fox News poll records 38% approval and 56% disapproval.
Trump is particularly challenged on inflation, with only 33% approval and 59% disapproval in the Fox News poll. His tariff policies also face disapproval, with 33% approval against 58% disapproval.
The Pew Research Center survey from April 2025 shows Trump’s overall approval rating has fallen to 40%, a decline of seven percentage points since February. Pew reports that key policy moves, including tariff hikes, federal department cuts, and extensive use of executive orders, are viewed negatively by the public.
Trump’s tariff policies appear to be a significant factor in his declining ratings. The CNBC All-America Economic Survey notes Trump’s lowest economic approval ratings of his presidency, with only 43% of Americans approving of his performance.
According to the CNBC survey, less than half of U.S. adults (45%) trust Trump’s ability to make sound economic decisions, a 14-point drop from the previous year.
The Reuters/Ipsos poll also suggests many Americans are wary of Trump’s efforts to expand his power.
The poll reveals that 57% of respondents believe it is unacceptable for a president to withhold funding from universities they disagree with, and 66% oppose presidential control over national cultural institutions.
According to the Reuters/Ipsos poll, Trump’s approval rating has reached its lowest level since the start of his second term, now standing at 42%.
One area where Trump maintains support is border security. The Fox News poll indicates that 55% approve of his handling of this issue, marking it as his strongest area.
However, Trump faces challenges in foreign policy, with 40% approval and 54% disapproval as per the Fox News poll.
The drop in Trump’s approval since January is notable. New York Magazine’s analysis reveals a decline from a positive 11.6% net approval in January to a negative 7% in April, a decrease of 18.6 percentage points.
Trump’s current economic approval ratings are significant given his 2024 election victory, which was largely based on pledges to reduce inflation and boost the economy.
Despite an average 45% approval rating in his second term, which is higher than his first term, Trump’s current standing is lower than past post-World War II presidents at similar points in their presidencies.
Additional polls confirm the downward trend. The Decision Desk HQ/The Hill polling average shows Trump’s average disapproval rating at 51.8% as of late April 2025.
Economic concerns influencing Trump’s approval ratings focus on inflation and consumer costs. Polling data indicates that 47% of respondents cite the price of food and consumer goods as their main economic concern, with housing/rent costs and the stock market also being significant issues.
As Trump nears the symbolic 100-day mark of his second term, these approval ratings pose a challenge for an administration that emphasized economic competence and executive experience during its campaign.
