In the face of persistent claims from Donald Trump about the restoration of American greatness, the general public seems to hold a contrary viewpoint. A plethora of recent poll results that paint a less than flattering picture indicates that the majority of the American people aren’t buying into this narrative. Gallup’s early April poll results reveal an all-time high of 53% of Americans beleiving that their economic conditions are going downhill. This is the first instance since 2001 that the majority of Americans have harbored such pessimistic sentiments.
The approval of Trump’s economic management stands alarmingly low at just 37% among adult US citizens, as per a Reuters/Ipsos poll. This signifies the worst ever performance for Trump in this regard. Meanwhile, Fox, his preferred news outlet, released a new poll underscoring that Trump’s approval rating has dwindled to a mere 44% as he nears his 100th day in office. In comparison to his predecessors, Joe Biden, Barack Obama, and George W. Bush, at the similar juncture of their presidencies, Trump’s standing is inferior.
Rather than taking these disappointing poll numbers with composure and perspective, Trump opted to respond with an aggressive posture. In a post on Truth Social, he strongly advocated for media mogul Rupert Murdoch to sack Fox’s ‘Hating, Fake Pollster’. The poll conducted by Fox between April 18-21 concludes that border security is the sole issue where Trump’s performance receives more approval than disapproval (55%) from registered voters. As far as every other issue is concerned, Trump seems to be drowning.
The viewpoint of voters on Trump’s economic policies is overwhelmingly negative. His approval ratings for handling inflation, tariffs, taxes, and the overarching economy hover precariously between 33% and 38%. Comparatively fewer registered voters, only 28%, believe that the economy is getting better—a dire drop from the corresponding period last year.
More than half, 51%, of the registered voters who participated in the Fox poll believe that Trump’s policies are causing more harm than good to the country. A paltry 40% hold the opinion that they’re beneficial. Even on the matter of immigration, an issue that is often boasted about by his administration as a victory, the approval rate for Trump’s performance stands at a meager 47%, with 48% disapproving.
Pointing towards a bleak future, in a stark turnaround from January, when 68% of respondents were optimistic that the stock market would surge in the upcoming six months, now 58% anticipate it to sink. In contrast with Trump’s ambitious promises of inaugurating a ‘golden age’ of prosperity, the reality, as it appears, is more akin to landing in an era of lead.
It’s puzzling to observe these downhill trends, especially in the era of such ‘great leadership’ as promised by Trump, pointing towards what seems like a clear dichotomy between rhetoric and reality. Rightfully so, the public seems to be less forgiving and less exploratory when it comes to their verdict about Trump’s leadership. It’s about time the Trump administration took a hard look at the conditions affecting the everyday American and rectified its approach.
Public sentiment tends to cast a blemish on Trump’s economic policies and does not save words when expressing discomfort and disapproval. Here, the administration’s broad failures become all too transparent, far from the image of economic prowess that Trump often likes to project. The fact that Trump’s performance evokes approval from only 37% of adult US citizens on economic issues is a striking testament to the administration’s inflated economic claims.
Fox’s poll suggested that Trump’s performance is slightly less disapproved of when it comes to border security. However, even here, his approval rating sits at a comparatively lukewarm 55%. The remaining issues situate Trump far behind in the race for approval. The condition is even more exacerbated when these numbers are placed against the backdrop of the predominantly negative reviews from voters on all other fronts.
Moving the spotlight onto immigration, one of the regularly trumpeted triumphs of his administration, reveals a picture less rosy than the administration would like us to believe. A narrow margin divides the approval and disapproval rates, 47% and 48% respectively, suggesting that the administration’s actions are far from universally appreciated, contradicting the image frequently painted by Trump.
In what might be the most telling part of these polls is the shift in sentiments related to the fate of the stock market. Just a few months back, in January, a majority (68%) dared to dream that stock market would rise in the half-year to come. Now, more than half (58%) predict a decline, marking a severe shift in confidence and expectations under Trump.
Left in the wake of Trump’s much-touted ‘golden age’ seems to be a reality that aligns more with the era of lead. The resounding message from these polling numbers emphasizes that the spectacle of wealth and prosperity Trump promised seems to be materializing as a gloomy period of economic hardship. The gap between the grand promises and the lived reality of Americans seems wider than ever before.
Surprisingly, despite Trump constantly beating his own drum about making America great again, the American people seem to beg to differ. Their disapproval is glaringly evident through these record-breaking low approval ratings and the overwhelming sense of disenchantment seeping through the data. Long gone are the days when leaders’ claims weren’t scrutinized or questioned.
In conclusion, the general sentiment across a broad cross-section of Americans indicates a growing dissatisfaction with Trump’s administration. Despite his ambitious promises of a prosperous ‘golden age’, these polling figures seem to suggest the metamorphosis of a potential golden age into an era more reminiscent of lead. It’s clear; the administration’s rhetoric isn’t matching up to reality for many Americans.