Donald Trump has set a new record—one he likely did not want. A new ABC News/Washington Post/Ipsos poll shows Trump holding the lowest 100-day approval rating of any U.S. president in 80 years, with widespread disapproval of his policies and deepening economic anxieties among voters.

Economic Concerns Dominate Public Sentiment

Just 39% of Americans approve of the job Trump is doing as president, a decline of six points since February. Meanwhile, 55% say they disapprove of his performance. This puts Trump even below his own 2017 approval low of 42% at the same milestone.

Economic worries are a major factor driving dissatisfaction. Nearly three-quarters of Americans—72%—believe Trump’s policies are likely to spark a recession in the near future. Seventy-three percent rate the economy as being in poor condition, while more than half, 53%, think it has deteriorated since Trump assumed office earlier this year. Additionally, 41% of Americans say their personal financial situation has worsened under his leadership.

Tariffs Blamed for Rising Prices

Trump’s tariffs are a particular target of criticism. Sixty-two percent of respondents report seeing prices climb, and 71% attribute this inflation directly to the tariffs on international trade. Only 31% buy into Trump’s argument that these measures will ultimately strengthen the U.S. economy.

Beyond financial concerns, 65% of Americans believe Trump’s administration is actively trying to circumvent federal court orders, and 64% think he is pushing too hard to expand presidential powers. A notable 62% say they feel Trump’s White House does not respect the rule of law.

Broad Opposition to Key Policies

The poll reveals consistent disapproval across a range of Trump’s major initiatives:

• 67% disapprove of how he is handling recent stock market turmoil
• 64% disapprove of his approach to tariffs
• 61% disapprove of his overall handling of the economy and international relations
• 58% believe he is not advocating for the interests of average Americans

On specific proposals, public opposition is even more pronounced. Seventy-seven percent oppose cuts to federal medical research funding, 70% are against increasing federal control over private universities, and 67% reject ending birthright citizenship.

Republican Loyalty Holds, But Cracks Emerge

Despite declining numbers overall, Trump maintains a stronghold within his party. Eighty-three percent of Republicans say they approve of his performance, although only about half strongly approve. Meanwhile, 93% of Democrats and 60% of independents disapprove, with independents particularly critical—44% strongly disapprove compared to only 15% who strongly approve.

Support among a key Trump constituency, non-college-educated white men, has also softened. Approval among this group stands at 54%, tied with his previous low during his first term. Alarmingly for Trump, 43% of them now believe the economy has worsened under his watch, and one-third report that their personal finances have declined.

Trust in Trump Over Democrats—But Both Sides Struggle

While Trump’s approval numbers are underwater, he still edges out Democrats in Congress when it comes to public trust on key national issues. Thirty-seven percent of Americans say they trust Trump to handle the country’s main problems, compared to 30% who trust congressional Democrats. However, a striking 30% say they trust neither party.

Both major parties are viewed as disconnected from the concerns of average Americans. Sixty percent of respondents believe Trump is out of touch—yet 69% say the same about the Democratic Party, and 64% feel that way about the Republican Party overall.

Among independents, 62% say Trump is out of touch, but even more—76%—believe the Democratic Party is similarly disconnected from everyday concerns.

Courts, Compliance, and Presidential Power

When it comes to the courts, most Americans reject the Trump administration’s accusations of judicial overreach. Sixty-two percent say federal judges are simply enforcing existing legal limits on the president’s authority, not interfering with it.

Additionally, by a two-to-one margin, Americans agree that judges should have the authority to block potentially harmful or illegal administration policies pending trial.

There is also widespread belief—67%—that Trump’s team is actively trying to evade compliance with federal court orders, rather than respecting them.

Shrinking Government: Divided Opinions

Majorities express concern that Trump is pushing too aggressively to shrink the size and role of the federal government. Fifty-eight percent worry he will go too far in cutting back federal agencies, mirroring concerns expressed about government expansion under previous administrations.

Views on deregulation are more divided. Fifty-two percent say they fear the Trump administration will eliminate regulations necessary for public health and safety, while 46% believe unnecessary red tape will be cut without endangering essential protections.

Global Leadership and Relations with Russia

Trump’s impact on America’s standing in the world also draws criticism. Nearly half of Americans—49%—believe Trump has weakened U.S. leadership globally, compared to 34% who think he has strengthened it.

On relations with Russia, 46% say Trump is too friendly toward Moscow, while 40% feel his approach strikes the right balance. Only 11% think he is being too confrontational. These numbers closely resemble attitudes seen early in his first term.

Methodology

The ABC News/Washington Post/Ipsos poll was conducted April 18–22, 2025, using the probability-based Ipsos KnowledgePanel®. Surveys were completed online in English and Spanish with a random sample of 2,464 adults. The partisan breakdown among respondents was 30% Democrat, 30% Republican, and 29% independent. The poll carries a margin of error of plus or minus two percentage points.

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