There are numerous polls out today looking at what Americans think of the Trump presidency one month after inauguration day. The numbers are mixed for Trump showing strong support from the GOP, extreme opposition from the Democrats and dissatisfaction from Independent voters. What is most clear from these numbers is that Trump does not have a mandate. While it is true that Trump did win all seven swing states, all the survey research released today shows a country still bitterly divided.
Polling from Gallup, perhaps the most venerable public opinion research organization, reports that 45 percent of Americans approve of his performance while 51 percent disapprove and five percent are not sure. Republicans are ecstatic about Trump’s performance (93 percent approve) while Democrats are the mirror image (96 percent disapprove). Significantly, just under two-thirds of Independents (63 percent) disapprove of Trump’s performance. Fully 69 percent of Independents disapprove of Trump’s handling of the economy.
In their polling, the Washington Post and Ispos offers a similar take on Trump’s job performance with 47 percent approving and 49 percent disapproving. On Trump’s signature issue of immigration, he garners a small majority (51 percent approve). The Washington Post also asks respondents about Elon Musk who they describe as “the billionaire entrepreneur who oversees the effort to reshape the executive branch of government”. Musk is more unpopular than Trump with 49 percent disapproving of his job performance and 34 percent approving. Fifteen (15) percent are not sure how to assesses Musk’s performance.
We also find that CNN’s polling closely resembles both Gallup and the Washington Post’s. CNN finds that 47 percent approve of Trump’s performance while 52 percent disapproves. Voters ages 18 to 34 are the most disapproving of Trump (41 percent approve, 57 percent disapprove), those 65 and over are the most supportive (53 percent approve, 47 percent disapprove).
When asked if Donald Trump has gone too far, has been about right, or has not gone far enough when it comes to using the power of the presidency and executive branch?, a 52 percent majority say he has gone too far. In contrast, 39 percent that Trump has been about right. Fifty-seven (57) percent of Independents feel that Trump has gone too far.
As we all know, inflation was a major issue in the 2024 presidential election. Trump fares poorly on this issue in the CNN polling. Fully 62 percent feel that Trump has not done enough on inflation. Significantly, even Republicans are not supportive of Trump’s record on inflation (50 percent about right, 47 percent not enough).
Elon Musk also fares poorly in the CNN polling. A 54 percent majority think that it is a bad thing that Trump has given “Elon Musk a prominent role in his administration.” Independent voters are even more likely to be critical of Musk (57 percent disapprove).
The most significant research insight from CNN’s polling is that Democrats and Democratic-leaning Independents feel that Democrats in Congress are not doing enough to oppose Trump. Just under three-quarters (73 percent) of Democrats say that their party on Capitol Hill has not done enough to oppose Trump. Democrats in all economic, age and education subgroups want their leaders in Congress to do more to oppose Trump.
After a month of frenetic activity, Trump has weak polling numbers. While he still has a strong base with Republicans, Independent voters are critical. What may be the most worrying factor for the Trump White House, is that even his supporters are not happy with his performance on economic issues. On the other side of the aisle, Democrats are very critical of their leaders on Capitol Hill for not standing up to Trump. Congressional Democrats appear to have a political opportunity should they decide to step up their opposition to Trump. Their supporters are urging them to move in this direction.
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