Donald Trump has entered his second term with a historic record for the least popular approval rating of any newly elected president since World War II, according to a new poll.
Trump, who returned to the White House after securing a second term in a contentious election, has begun his presidency with a slew of executive orders, many of which have sparked intense controversy. Among the most contentious is his decision to rename the Gulf of Mexico to the “Gulf of America,” alongside a series of hardline immigration policies.
Trump’s policies, which include severe restrictions on transgender healthcare and declaring that only two sexes exist, have triggered a sharp divide in public opinion. His administration has also introduced a ban on transgender people serving in the military and moved to restrict gender-affirming care for those under 19 years old.
GLAAD, the LGBTQ+ advocacy organization, has condemned these policies, warning that they “will come at a cost for every American.” Despite Trump’s fervent claims that he is responding to the will of the people by combating what he calls “wokeness,” the American public appears far from impressed with his actions.
Polls Show Trump’s Approval Rating Remains Low
Polling data from the FiveThirtyEight aggregator reveals that Trump’s approval rating after his first days in office stands at just +7 percentage points, marking the lowest of any newly elected president since the Second World War. Notably, Trump’s approval rating in 2017 — at the start of his first term — was even lower, at +3.2 percentage points.
Essentially, the only president with a lower initial approval rating than Trump is… himself.
During his first term, Trump’s approval rating reached a high of 49 percent, but by the time he left office, it had plummeted to 34 percent. This is in stark contrast to other recent presidents. In 2021, Joe Biden’s approval rating stood at +21.8 percent, while Barack Obama’s was a far higher +46.9 percent when he began his presidency in 2009.
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Notably, other past presidents started with more favorable ratings. John F. Kennedy’s approval rating in 1960 was an extraordinary +66 percent, while Bill Clinton’s approval rating was at +34.1 percent when he took office in 1992.
Voters Concerned About Cost of Living, Not Culture Wars
While Trump’s approval rating remains historically low, analysts suggest the president is still benefiting from a “honeymoon” period, where new leaders often receive initial support despite early missteps. However, Kyle Kondik, an analyst with the University of Virginia Center for Politics, noted that Trump’s numbers remain underwhelming by historical standards.
Kondik observed that many of Trump’s early executive orders, especially those related to social and cultural issues, have not resonated well with his own supporters. A survey conducted by Reuters/Ipsos from January 24 to 26 found that voters remain primarily concerned with economic issues such as the price of food, housing, and healthcare.
Trump’s polarizing decisions — particularly on issues such as birthright citizenship and the renaming of the Gulf of Mexico — have become flashpoints in the national debate.
Controversial Orders Spark Public Outcry
One of the most contentious orders issued by Trump is his attempt to end birthright citizenship, a long-standing policy that automatically grants U.S. citizenship to anyone born on American soil. A poll conducted by Reuters/Ipsos revealed that 89 percent of Democrats and 36 percent of Republicans opposed this measure, underscoring the widespread public disapproval.
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The policy was recently blocked by a federal judge in Seattle, but the White House has vowed to appeal the ruling, setting the stage for a prolonged legal battle.
Another order that has drawn heavy criticism is Trump’s plan to rename the Gulf of Mexico as the “Gulf of America.” A significant portion of the population, 70 percent of respondents in the Reuters/Ipsos survey, expressed opposition to the name change. Many view it as an unnecessary move that disregards historical and cultural significance in favor of politically charged rhetoric.
A Divided Nation
As Trump continues to push forward with his controversial policies, the American public remains divided. While his supporters argue that his actions are necessary to preserve traditional American values, his critics warn that such decisions risk alienating large portions of the population and deepening existing divisions.
GLAAD and other advocacy groups have also raised alarms about the broader societal impacts of Trump’s culture war policies. “These policies are not just harmful to marginalized communities; they will ultimately affect every American,” said Sarah Kate Ellis, president of GLAAD. “They are divisive, discriminatory, and could lead to irreversible harm.”
Despite this, Trump remains steadfast in his rhetoric, often claiming that his policies are popular among everyday Americans who are tired of “woke” culture and political correctness. However, polling data suggests that, at least for now, the president’s agenda may not be as well-received as he believes.
As the second term unfolds, the president faces mounting challenges on multiple fronts. The backlash to his executive orders and the ongoing controversy surrounding his immigration policies will likely continue to shape his public image. While Trump remains a polarizing figure, the effectiveness of his policies and his ability to rally support among the American electorate will be key to his legacy.
With a divided nation, rising concerns about economic hardship, and escalating cultural battles, the road ahead for Donald Trump’s second term appears to be fraught with difficulties — and the struggle for public approval is far from over.
