As Donald Trump marks one month into his second term as president, a recent poll conducted by SSRS reveals that his approval rating leans negative but remains higher than any point during his first term. However, there are indications that the initial positive reception Trump received may be waning, with optimism declining since December.
The poll highlights concerns among Americans regarding Trump's handling of key issues. A majority feel he is not adequately addressing the high prices of everyday goods, and many believe he has overstepped in using his presidential power. Additionally, there is skepticism about his efforts to reshape the government, including elevating Elon Musk to a prominent role.
Public opinion on Trump's performance is divided, with 47% approving and 52% disapproving. Notably, a significant portion of the public feels that Trump's actions align with their expectations, although there is a subset that views his actions negatively.
Furthermore, the poll reveals that a majority of Americans believe Trump has not paid enough attention to the country's most pressing problems and has not done adequate work to reduce the cost of everyday goods. Concerns about the economy top the list of issues worrying Americans.
Trump's support appears to be diminishing among certain demographic groups, including younger adults, Hispanic adults, and Black adults. Approval ratings among these groups have declined since the presidential transition.
Moreover, a substantial portion of Americans feel that Trump has exceeded the bounds of his presidential power and express reservations about his efforts to change government operations. His proposal to take over Gaza and prevent Palestinians from returning there is particularly unpopular.
Democrats are dissatisfied with their party's response to Trump, with many feeling that congressional Democrats are not doing enough to oppose the president. In contrast, Republicans largely believe that the GOP is adequately supporting Trump.
Overall, the poll underscores the deep political divisions in the country, with Democrats expressing concerns about the state of American democracy and Republicans showing optimism about Trump's second term.
With legal challenges looming over the Trump administration's actions, the poll also reveals a lack of widespread trust in the Supreme Court to handle related cases effectively.
These findings are based on a survey conducted by SSRS from February 13-17 among a national sample of 1,206 adults, with a margin of error of plus or minus 3.1 percentage points.
