Almost one hundred days into Donald Trump’s second presidency, the American public has delivered a stunning verdict: his approval ratings are cratering at historic lows. Polls show a restless nation, skeptical of Trump’s tariff-heavy agenda and executive overreach, while the president himself lashes out, demanding investigations into unfavorable results.
For a republic built on checks and balances, what does this disconnect reveal about the presidency’s limits and the people’s power? Let’s unpack the data, Trump’s defiance, and the constitutional stakes shaping this turbulent moment.
Grim Numbers: Trump’s Popularity Hits Rock Bottom
The numbers don’t lie, and they’re brutal. A CNN poll from April 17–24, 2025, pegs Trump’s approval at 41%, the lowest for any newly elected president at 100 days since Dwight Eisenhower. That’s down from 45% in March and 48% in February, with 55% disapproving. Among independents, a critical group, Trump’s net approval has tanked to -22%, a steeper drop than his -16% in 2017.
The Washington Post-ABC News-Ipsos poll is even bleaker, reporting 39% approval and 55% disapproval, making Trump the least popular president at this stage in 80 years. Only 21% “strongly approve,” while 44% “strongly disapprove,” reflecting intense polarization. Economic fears, particularly around tariffs, drive much of this discontent, with 61% disapproving of Trump’s trade policies.
Why Are Voters Turning Away?
The economy is the biggest sore spot. Trump’s tariffs on Canada, Mexico, and China have sparked fears of inflation and recession, with Goldman Sachs raising its 2025 recession odds to 35%. A retired lawyer and Trump voter, George Mastrodonato, told CNN, “I’m not a big fan of these executive orders… He goes overboard.” This frustration hints at broader unease with Trump’s reliance on unilateral actions, which many see as reckless.
Trump’s Counterattack: Denying the Polls
Trump isn’t one to accept criticism quietly. On April 28, 2025, he took to Truth Social, demanding investigations into pollsters for alleged “election fraud” over negative results. He claimed to have “the best poll numbers, ever,” though he cited no specific data. This echoes a March 17, 2025, White House X post boasting “highest approval rating ever” from a New York Post report, a claim quickly overshadowed by declining numbers.
This isn’t Trump’s first rodeo. In his first term, he cherry-picked favorable polls while dismissing others. But calling for investigations raises deeper questions about his respect for free expression and the mechanisms that hold leaders accountable.
Presidential Power Meets Public Will
The Framers didn’t design the presidency to be a popularity contest, but public opinion shapes its effectiveness. Article II grants executive authority, yet Congress, courts, and elections keep it in check. Trump’s approval crisis tests this balance, revealing how a president’s actions ripple through the system. Let’s explore the key dynamics at play.
A Fractured Mandate?
Presidents often lean on their electoral “mandate” to justify bold moves, but Trump’s claim is shaky. He won 46% of independents in 2024, up from 41% in 2020, yet his current -22% approval among them signals a rapid loss of trust. Independent Senator Bernie Sanders noted on X, “Trump likes to talk about his ‘mandate.’ Really? He got 4 million fewer votes than Biden in 2020.”
The Electoral College (Article II, Section 1) prioritizes state-based outcomes over popular vote, allowing victories without broad support. Trump’s sinking approval underscores this disconnect: can a president govern without public confidence, and how does the system respond?
Executive Orders Under Fire
Trump’s flurry of executive orders—cited as a major reason for disapproval—pushes the boundaries of Article II’s “faithful execution” clause. While he draws authority from laws like the Trade Act of 1974 for tariffs, 60% of Americans disapprove of his trade approach, per an AP-NORC poll. Many orders face legal challenges, with courts often striking down those overstepping statutory limits.
Mastrodonato’s complaint about “overboard” actions reflects a broader sentiment. When executive moves alienate voters and invite judicial scrutiny, they test the separation of powers, a cornerstone of the republic’s stability.
Free Speech in the Crosshairs?
Trump’s demand to investigate pollsters flirts with First Amendment concerns. The right to free speech and press, including publishing polls, is sacrosanct. Legal scholars argue Trump’s fraud claims lack merit and won’t survive court scrutiny, as seen in precedents like New York Times v. Sullivan (1964), which protects critical speech about public figures. Thomas Gift, a political science professor, told Newsweek that Trump’s “impulsive decision-making” fuels voter unease, amplifying the stakes of his rhetoric.
Division Deepens: A Nation Split
The polls reveal a polarized America. Republicans remain steadfast, with 86% approving of Trump, but Democrats are near-universal in their disapproval at 93%. Independents, at 31% approval, are tipping the scales against him, a shift that could reshape political fortunes.
Economic Woes Take Center Stage
The economy is voters’ top concern, with 34% prioritizing it in an AtlasIntel poll. Trump’s tariffs, meant to revive manufacturing, face backlash, with 72% believing they’ll raise prices, per a Fox News poll. Heath Brown, a public policy professor, told Newsweek, “The president’s signature policy… is unpopular with many Americans, including nearly half of Republicans.”
Congress holds primary trade power under Article I, Section 8, but modern laws delegate much to the executive. If public discontent grows, will lawmakers step in to curb Trump’s tariff spree?
Border Security: A Rare Win
Trump shines on border security, with 55% approval in a Fox News poll. His aggressive immigration policies, including mass deportations, resonate with his base and some moderates. The lack of explicit constitutional guidance on immigration gives the executive wide latitude, but legal challenges could dampen this momentum if courts find violations of due process.
How Does Trump Stack Up Historically?
Trump’s 41% approval is lower than any modern president’s at 100 days, including his own 42% in 2017. Joe Biden had 54%, Barack Obama 62%, and George W. Bush 63%. D. Stephen Voss, a political science professor, told Newsweek that Trump’s polarizing style cuts short the typical “honeymoon period” most presidents enjoy.
Low approval has historically spelled trouble. Jimmy Carter’s slide to 28% by 1979 paved the way for his 1980 defeat. Trump’s loyal base may shield him, but losing independents could hurt Republicans in the 2026 midterms, a cycle baked into Article I’s election schedule.
Stress-Testing the Republic
Trump’s low approval and combative response highlight pressure points in the system. The Framers built a framework for stability, not universal popularity, but public opinion fuels political capital. A president facing widespread disapproval risks:
- Congressional Pushback: Article I empowers Congress to counter the president through laws or, in extreme cases, impeachment. Declining approval could embolden opposition.
- Court Challenges: Article III courts can nullify overreaching executive actions, as seen in Trump’s first-term travel ban rulings. More legal battles loom if he leans on executive orders.
- Voter Backlash: Midterm elections (Article I, Section 2) let voters reshape Congress, potentially flipping power if Trump’s unpopularity drags down his party.
A Fragile Trust?
Unpopularity alone doesn’t break the system, but Trump’s attacks on pollsters could erode faith in democratic norms. The republic depends on unwritten rules, like respecting free speech, to function. Gift noted that Trump’s “inconsistent messaging” undermines his dealmaker image, potentially deepening public skepticism.
Can Trump Bounce Back?
Polls aren’t fate. Trump saw a brief uptick in mid-April after pausing some tariffs, with Rasmussen reporting a net +2%. Sustained recovery, though, demands addressing economic fears and tempering his approach—areas where Trump often doubles down. Chandler James, a political science professor, told Newsweek that Trump’s “polarizing political style” caps his appeal, making a comeback tough.
The system offers no easy fix for unpopularity, but it provides guardrails: elections, judicial review, and legislative oversight. These mechanisms ensure the republic endures, even in turbulent times.