Special Poll
President Trump’s early approval ratings indicate he is starting his second term in a stronger position than in 2017, though Americans remain deeply divided along party lines. When he left office in 2021, his approval ratings were at their lowest, but recent polls suggest his current numbers are among the highest of his political career. However, compared to other modern presidents, his initial approval ratings remain relatively low.
A newly released CBS News/YouGov poll, conducted from February 5 to 7, found that 53% of Americans approve of Trump’s performance so far, while 47% disapprove. This marks the highest approval rating for Trump in a CBS News poll, according to “Face the Nation” anchor Margaret Brennan. By comparison, a February 2017 CBS News poll showed that only 40% of Americans approved of Trump’s performance in the early days of his first term. Additionally, 70% of respondents in the recent survey said Trump is following through on his campaign promises. However, 66% believe he is not prioritizing efforts to lower prices, a key promise that helped drive his return to the White House.
Public opinion is also split on the role of Elon Musk and his Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) in overseeing government operations and spending. Among Republicans, 44% support Musk and DOGE having some influence, whereas only 13% of Democrats agree.
Gallup’s latest job approval rating for Trump, gathered between January 21 and 27, was slightly higher than its first poll after his 2017 inauguration, which showed 45% approval. However, his current disapproval rating of 48% is three percentage points higher than in 2017, marking a new high for Gallup. His approval remains highly partisan, with 91% of Republicans in favor of his presidency, compared to just 6% of Democrats and 46% of independents.
A Pew Research Center survey conducted from January 27 to February 2 found that 47% of U.S. adults approve of Trump’s handling of the presidency, while 51% disapprove. This approval rating is higher than at any point during his first term. However, the partisan divide remains stark, with 84% of Republicans and Republican-leaning independents approving of Trump’s job performance, compared to just 10% of Democrats and Democratic-leaning voters. This polarization is consistent with most of his first term but is a shift from the final weeks of his previous presidency, when only 60% of Republicans approved of his performance.
Trump’s decision to issue pardons for January 6 rioters convicted of violent crimes has drawn widespread disapproval, with 74% of Americans opposing the move, according to Pew. Meanwhile, public opinion on Trump’s tariff policies varies based on the targeted country. While 56% of Americans approve of tariffs on China, 62% oppose tariffs on Canadian goods.
Gallup data shows that, on average, all elected presidents since Eisenhower, excluding Trump, have started their terms with an initial approval rating of 61%. While the nation remains divided on his performance, polling indicates that Trump may have more political flexibility compared to eight years ago.