Poll: Trump Atmospherics

This Navigator Research report covers the latest perceptions of President Trump, the administration’s recent actions, and how Americans would like Democrats in Congress to respond. 

President Trump’s overall approval, economic approval, and favorability rating have converged and are evenly split.

Americans are divided on both approval of Trump’s overall job handling as president (net -1; 48 percent approve – 49 percent disapprove) and his handling of the economy (net even; 48 percent approve – 48 percent disapprove). Similarly, Trump’s personal favorability ratings also remain roughly split (net -2; 48 percent favorable – 50 unfavorable).

• While three in five of those who approve of Trump’s job handling say it is because of his recent actions (60 percent), and another 15 percent say they approve because of “his character and personality that he brings to the job of president,” a quarter of those approving say it is more to “give him a chance as a new president” (24 percent). Those who disapprove cite reasons including tariffs, high prices, and tax cuts for the rich. 

• Donald Trump and Republicans continue to be seen as more trusted to handle inflation (net +7; 40 percent Democratic Party – 47 percent Trump/Republican Party), government spending (net +14; 36 percent Democratic Party – 50 percent Trump/Republican Party), and “getting results” (net  +14; 37 percent Democratic Party – 51 percent Trump/Republican Party). Democrats are more trusted to handle issues such as abortion (net +12; 49 percent Democratic Party – 37 percent Trump/Republican Party), Social Security and Medicare (net +10; 49 percent Democratic Party – 39 percent Trump/Republican Party), and health care (net +10; 49 percent Democratic Party – 39 percent Trump/Republican Party). 

• Since December, the share of Americans who believe the country will be worse off a year from now has increased by 8 points to 41 percent who believe the country will be worse off (compared to 33 percent in December). 

Nearly seven in ten Americans are hearing negative news about Trump in recent days while only half are hearing positive news.

In December, 54 percent of Americans reported hearing at least some positive news about Trump, and an equal 54 percent share were also hearing at least some negative news about him. Now, just 50 percent are hearing at least some positive news about Trump while the share hearing at least some negative news has increased from 54 percent to 69 percent. Among the negative news Americans are hearing, the most frequently cited include “firing government workers,” “Musk,” “Ukraine,” and “tariffs.”

• When asked about specific recent news about the Trump administration, Americans have heard the most about Trump’s actions and plans on immigration (84 percent “a lot” or “some”), Elon Musk’s involvement in the administration (82 percent), and the firing of government employees (80 percent). Americans are divided in their support of these actions, with pluralities feeling more negatively about Musk’s involvement in the administration (net -12; 33 percent more positive – 45 percent more negative) and the firing of federal employees (net -11; 33 percent more positive – 44 percent more negative). Conversely, a plurality feel more positively about Trump’s actions and plans on immigration (net +8; 44 percent more positive – 36 percent more negative).

Majorities want to see Democrats in Congress stand up to Trump and serve as a check to him.

By 26 points, Americans think that Democrats in Congress should “stand up to President Trump all the time” (54 percent) rather than “work with President Trump all the time” (28 percent). Among a list of descriptors for what Democrats’ role in government should be, the most selected descriptor being “a check and balance on the Trump administration policies” (44 percent).

• Seven in ten Americans agree more with a statement that “Democrats who say they should be willing to support a budget, as long as it meets their conditions: that it doesn’t cut education from schools, take health care that people depend on, or defund research into lifesaving cures” (70 percent) compared to just three in ten who agree more that “Democrats who say they have to go along with whatever budget President Trump and Republicans in Congress come up with because Republicans are in the majority” (30 percent). Larger shares found this progressive messaging more convincing as opposed to one about opposing a Musk power grab: a statement that “Democrats who say they need to oppose the budget and threaten to shut down the government to stop Elon Musk’s illegal power grab and Trump’s outrageous budget cuts” only beat the same conservative argument by 8 points (54 percent progressive argument – 46 percent conservative argument).