Poll: Trump’s First 100 Days, On the Issues

This Navigator Research report covers perceptions of President Trump’s first 100 days in office, including what news Americans are hearing about him, and what people see as the effects of his policies on their lives.

As the first 100 days of President Trump’s second term come to a close, three-quarters of Americans are hearing negative news about the president (76 percent). Tariffs dominate the negative news Americans are hearing about Trump, though in Navigator’s most recent survey,  Americans also frequently cited “deportations” and the “economy” when describing the negative news they are hearing. As Americans continue to hear negative news about Trump, particularly regarding tariffs and the economy, a majority also believe the U.S. economy is in a recession (53 percent recession – 47 percent not in a recession).

• Nearly 70 percent of Americans view the current state of the economy negatively (69 percent). Women are far more negative about the economy, with three-quarters having negative economic sentiment (76 percent) – compared to 61 percent of men.
• Reminder: Half of Americans say they feel “anxious” and “discouraged” when it comes to politics (50 percent and 48 percent, respectively). Among Republicans who do not identify with the MAGA movement, 53 percent describe themselves as feeling “anxious” about politics.

Nearly 80 percent of Americans are worried about the impacts of the cost of living increasing, including 53 percent who are “very” worried. Over 70 percent are also concerned about the impacts that cuts to Social Security and Medicare would have on themselves and their families.

Non-college educated women are 11 points more likely than non-college educated men to be worried about the increasing cost of living impacting themselves and their families. Similarly, women across education groups are 7 points more likely than men to be concerned about the cost of health care increasing. In Navigator’s most recent focus groups, among women without a college degree in Pennsylvania concern over the cost of living was prevalent, as many expressed disappointment in Trump’s presidency thus far, with one woman saying: “I guess whenever I thought he took office, I thought we would maybe see a little bit of change in the economy, that maybe it would get a little bit better? … There’s just no help for some people out there. And I feel like I’m in that place right now.”

Over two-thirds of Americans believe Trump’s policies are contributing to volatility in the stock market (67 percent). Additionally, 62 percent believe his policies are contributing to Medicaid getting cut, and a further 62 percent say his policies are contributing to major tax breaks for billionaires and big corporations. While Americans are most likely to link Trump’s policies to volatility in the stock market, just over half believe volatility in the stock market would impact themselves and their families (54 percent), compared to the nearly 80 percent who believe an increase in the cost of living would impact themselves and their families (78 percent impact themselves and their families, 60 percent Trump’s policies contributing). 

• Americans see cuts to Social Security and Medicare as both impacting themselves and their families (71 percent), as well as a direct result of Trump’s policies (59 percent). 
• The most concerning message regarding President Trump is that he wants to cut Social Security, Medicaid, and Medicare benefits (44 percent rate as top three most concerning message). This message is also seen as a top concern among 41 percent of independents and 42 percent of non-MAGA Republicans.