Multiple polling organizations have documented a sharp slide in public support for President Donald Trump as his second term nears the 100-day milestone, with his current standing trailing every other two-term president since World War II at comparable moments.
According to a Pew Research Center survey from April 2025, Trump’s overall job approval has fallen to 40%, a seven-percentage-point decline since February. The research shows several major policy initiatives—such as new tariffs, reductions to federal agency budgets, and reliance on presidential directives—draw more negative than positive reactions from Americans.
Economic anxiety appears central to Trump’s deteriorating numbers. Just 37% of Americans in a Reuters/Ipsos poll support his management of the economy, while a Fox News survey put that figure at 38%, with 56% expressing disapproval. This marks a reversal for Trump, who built his political brand on economic stewardship.
The Fox News poll recorded Trump at 44% approval overall, creating a net approval of -11 points (44% approve minus 55% disapprove). That represents a five-point decline from his 49% showing in Fox News polling from March.
Inflation remains Trump’s weakest area, with only 33% approving and 59% disapproving of his approach to the issue, the Fox News poll found. His tariff policies face similar resistance, garnering just 33% approval versus 58% disapproval.
The president fired back at Fox News over the results, claiming the “pollster has gotten me, and MAGA, wrong for years,” according to reports.
Trump’s current position represents not only a decline from earlier in his second term but also a step backward from his first administration. He posted a 45% approval rating at the 100-day point of his previous term in office, meaning his second-term performance lags behind his initial presidency.
The Fox News data also reveals Trump running well behind recent predecessors at equivalent stages. Joe Biden commanded 54% approval, Barack Obama reached 62%, and George W. Bush enjoyed 63% support at their respective 100-day benchmarks.
The CNBC All-America Economic Survey captured Trump at his weakest point ever on economic matters, registering only 43% of Americans who back his performance. Less than half of U.S. adults (45%) express confidence in Trump’s ability to make good economic decisions, according to the CNBC survey, a 14-point decrease from the previous year.
Concerns about presidential overreach have surfaced alongside economic dissatisfaction. The Reuters/Ipsos poll shows that 57% of respondents believe presidents shouldn’t be able to deny funding to universities based on disagreement, while 66% reject the idea that presidents should control national cultural institutions.
The Reuters/Ipsos poll places Trump’s approval at 42%, marking his lowest level since the start of his second term.
Border security stands as Trump’s sole bright spot in the polling landscape. Data from Fox News indicates 55% support for how Trump addresses border issues, representing his best-performing policy area.
Yet Trump is “underwater” on international affairs, where 40% express support while 54% register disapproval in Fox News polling.
According to New York Magazine’s analysis, Trump has experienced a swing from 11.6 percentage points above water in January to 7 percentage points below water in April, representing an 18.6-point shift.
The economic worries dragging down Trump’s numbers center on rising prices and household expenses. Polling data reveals 47% of respondents pointing to food and consumer good prices as their primary economic worry, while housing/rent expenses and stock market performance also rank as major concerns.
Trump’s difficulties carry particular significance because his 2024 electoral success rested heavily on pledges to reduce inflation and strengthen the economy.
Though Trump’s second-term approval has averaged 45%, exceeding his first-term average, he still trails other post-World War II presidents when measured at equivalent moments in their tenures.
As the symbolic 100-day mark approaches, these polling numbers pose difficulties for an administration that made economic expertise and management credentials central to its campaign message.
