Harry Enten: Trump's Approval Ratings at 100 Days - A Deep Dive

Historic Low Approval Ratings

• 📉 Donald Trump's approval rating stands at 41% at the 100-day mark of his second term, the lowest for any president in modern polling history, dating back to Eisenhower.
• ⚠️ This is a significant drop from his first term, where his approval was 44% at the same point, and he is now trailing behind where he was previously.
• 📊 Compared to other presidents at 100 days, Trump's 41% is 12 points below Joe Biden's, 22 points below Obama's, and 21 points below George W. Bush's.

Performance on Key Issues

• 🎯 On immigration, Trump's approval is below water at 45%, a decline from previous standing.
• 📉 His handling of the economy receives only 39% approval, a 10-point drop from his first term and the lowest on record for any president at this stage.
• 📈 The tariff war fares even worse, with only 34% approval.
• 💡 The only issue where Trump is above 45% is gender identity policy, with 51% approval.

Confidence in Presidential Power

• 🚫 A majority of Americans, 54%, have no confidence that Trump will use the power of the presidency responsibly, a significant increase from 46% in December 2022.
• 📉 This lack of confidence spans overall approval, issue handling, and the conduct of his presidency.

Impact on the Republican Party and Midterms

• 🚩 The decline in economic approval is a major concern for Republicans, as it was previously Trump's signature advantage.
• 📉 Trump's approval among independents has fallen to 31%, a critical group for winning the presidency.
• ⚠️ There is significant concern within the Republican Party, with major donors expressing disappointment and highlighting a sense of chaos.
• 🆘 If Trump's approval rating remains at 41% in November 2026, there is virtually no chance for Republicans to hold the House of Representatives, as there is no precedent for a party retaining the House with such low presidential approval.

Potential Moderation Amidst Declining Popularity

• ⚖️ Despite his confrontational style, Trump has shown signs of backing down on some fronts, including tariffs and threats to the Federal Reserve chair.
• ⏸️ There have been pauses or reversals on issues like student visas and a gradual phasing out of the Elon Musk effort, suggesting a potential moderation in response to blowback and declining popularity.
• 🇺🇦 Even on Ukraine, there are signs of potential shifts, though the overall approach remains confrontational in many areas.