Trump popularity higher than throughout most of first term: Poll
President Trump’s popularity at the start of his second term is higher than it was throughout most of his first term, according to a Reuters/Ipsos poll released Tuesday.
The poll found Trump with a 47 percent approval rating, higher than almost the entirety of his first term, though still below the majority support that most other presidents have enjoyed at the start of their administrations. His disapproval rating is 41 percent.
Only twice during Trump’s first term in Reuters/Ipsos polling did Trump have a higher approval rating than he does in this poll, both early on in his presidency. He peaked at 49 percent about a week after taking office in January 2017, and he reached 48 percent in March of that year.
Otherwise, his approval rating was at or below 47 percent, reaching lows of 33 percent in December 2017 and 34 percent in January 2021, right before leaving office and in the aftermath of the Jan. 6, 2021, Capitol riot.
For comparison, former President Biden started his term with a higher approval rating, though it fell to the mid-to-high 30s by the end of his term. He started with an approval rating of 55 percent that peaked at 59 percent two months in.
Pollsters found possible support for some of Trump’s intentions on immigration policy, with 58 percent saying the U.S. should “dramatically reduce” the number of migrants who can claim asylum at the border. Trump has issued a flurry of executive orders on immigration since taking office Monday, including a pause on refugee admissions for at least three months, declaring a national emergency at the border and reinstituting the “Remain in Mexico” policy.
Forty-six percent said they approved of Trump’s handling of immigration in the poll.
But respondents were more critical of other early actions and proposals, including his decision to pardon nearly all of those convicted of crimes in relation to the Jan. 6 attack. Nearly 60 percent said Trump shouldn't pardon all people convicted from the attack, and only 29 percent said they approved of how Trump is handling perceived politicization of the justice system.
And few respondents said they supported Trump’s stated ambitions for the U.S. to take control of Greenland and the Panama Canal. Only 16 percent said the U.S. should pressure Denmark to sell Greenland, while 29 percent said the U.S. should retake control of the canal.
Trump’s support was also significantly polarized, as 91 percent of Republicans said they approve of him and 84 percent of Democrats said they disapprove.
The poll was conducted Monday and Tuesday among 1,077 U.S. adults. The margin of error was about 4 percentage points.
Topics
-
Recapping the first hours of Trump's second term
Donald Trump was inaugurated as the 47th president of the U.S. on Monday, pledging to save America from what he sees as a state of decline. CBS News' Lindsey Reiser, Major Garrett, Caitlin ...CBS News - 1d -
Most Americans optimistic about incoming Trump presidency, CBS News poll shows
A new CBS News poll shows 60% of Americans feel optimistic about the next four years with Donald Trump as president. CBS News elections and surveys executive director Anthony Salvanto has more.CBS News - 2d -
Most Americans optimistic about Trump’s return to office: Poll
A new survey found that most Americans are optimistic about President-elect Trump returning to the White House. The survey, conducted by CBS News and YouGov, found that 60 percent of respondents ...The Hill - 2d -
Saturday Sessions: Wilderado performs "Higher Than Most"
Wilderado was formed in 2015, when frontman Max Rainer and guitarist Taylor Wimpee met at Baylor University. In the decade since, the band has recorded two albums and five EPs, and toured the ...CBS News - Jan. 11 -
Americans have dimmer view of Biden than they did of Trump or Obama, poll finds
Americans have a dimmer view of Joe Biden’s presidency as he prepares to leave office than they did at the end of Donald Trump’s first term or Barack Obama’s secondABC News - Jan. 10 -
Pro-Russian presidential candidate still most popular in Romania as new poll date set
Citizens will vote again on May 4 after previous presidential election annulled over allegations of interference from MoscowFinancial Times - Jan. 8 -
Immigration is a higher priority for Americans than it was a year ago, an AP-NORC poll shows
More Americans say immigration should be a top focus for the U.S. government in 2025, as the country heads toward a new Republican administration in which President-elect Donald Trump has promised ...NBC News - Jan. 7 -
World's most popular YouTuber MrBeast announces engagement
The world's most popular YouTuber, known for his grand stunts, says he opted for an intimate proposal.BBC News - Jan. 2
More from The Hill
-
Trump ordered the US to withdraw from the WHO. What comes next?
President Trump issued an executive order late Monday night withdrawing the U.S. from the World Health Organization (WHO). This is the second time Trump has tried to pull the country out of the ...The Hill - 39m -
Live updates: Trump pushes ahead on border plans, anti-DEI efforts; Dems grill OMB nominee
Rubber is meeting the road in President Trump's first week back at the White House, as the administration warned federal workers in roles related to diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) that they ...The Hill - 41m -
Hidden ‘bonus’ write-offs hide the true cost of tax breaks
The government is trading revenue now (when it is more valuable) for revenue later.The Hill - 48m -
Pentagon sending 1,500 troops to secure US-Mexican border
The Pentagon is sending some 1,500 troops to help secure the southern border as President Trump pushes to stem the tide of migrants entering the country and crack down on illegal immigration. ...The Hill - 55m -
DOJ to investigate local officials who won’t enforce Trump immigration policies: Report
The Department of Justice (DOJ) is directing federal prosecutors to investigate state or local officials who won’t enforce the Trump administration’s immigration policies, according to a memo ...The Hill - 56m
More in Politics
-
Trump ordered the US to withdraw from the WHO. What comes next?
President Trump issued an executive order late Monday night withdrawing the U.S. from the World Health Organization (WHO). This is the second time Trump has tried to pull the country out of the ...The Hill - 39m -
Live updates: Trump pushes ahead on border plans, anti-DEI efforts; Dems grill OMB nominee
Rubber is meeting the road in President Trump's first week back at the White House, as the administration warned federal workers in roles related to diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) that they ...The Hill - 41m -
Hidden ‘bonus’ write-offs hide the true cost of tax breaks
The government is trading revenue now (when it is more valuable) for revenue later.The Hill - 48m -
Pentagon sending 1,500 troops to secure US-Mexican border
The Pentagon is sending some 1,500 troops to help secure the southern border as President Trump pushes to stem the tide of migrants entering the country and crack down on illegal immigration. ...The Hill - 55m -
DOJ to investigate local officials who won’t enforce Trump immigration policies: Report
The Department of Justice (DOJ) is directing federal prosecutors to investigate state or local officials who won’t enforce the Trump administration’s immigration policies, according to a memo ...The Hill - 56m