The First 100 Days of Trump – Disappointing Results

Not only do a majority consider his reforms controversial or failed, but his entire philosophy and strategy are chaotic, based not on an analysis of the country's actual interests but on his personal ambition to become the world's chief decision-maker. A recent Siena College/The New York Times poll showed that two-thirds of Americans describe his policies as "chaotic", meaning he lacks a clear vision for leading the country. Another 59% called them "threatening." Accordingly, only 42% gave him a positive rating for his first 100 days in office, while 54% disapproved. This is not what he expected—traditionally, a president's first 100 days are a "honeymoon period," with high approval as the public hopes for promised changes. Trump's ratings are the lowest for any post-war president at this stage.

His radical reforms are now viewed skeptically or negatively by voters. Even on his key campaign issue—combating illegal immigration—only 47% approve of his actions, while 51% disapprove. His reorganization of the federal government, spearheaded by Elon Musk as the main fighter against excess, received a 44% approval rating, with 52% disapproving.

But Trump's biggest drop in popularity stems from economic issues. During the campaign, he seemingly convinced the public that he had achieved major economic successes in his previous term, keeping inflation low compared to the unchecked price surges under Joe Biden, and would do the same now. "America's golden age begins right now," he declared in his inaugural speech—prematurely, as it turned out. Americans rated his economic performance unfavorably: 43% approved, while 55% disapproved. Only 35% gave him positive marks for his inflation control policies.

His unprecedented imposition of trade tariffs in favor of the U.S. against nearly all global economies was met with even more negativity—42% approval to 55% disapproval—partly due to expected price hikes on imports. Moreover, two-thirds believe the president had no right to launch this "tariff war" without Congressional approval.

Overall, most Americans now feel the president does not understand the problems of ordinary people.

While economic issues have historically been central to evaluating presidents, Trump's international policies have played a particularly significant role in his low ratings. Specifically, his handling of the Israeli and Ukrainian conflicts has drawn criticism. A CNN poll found that only 39% approved of his foreign policy actions during the first 100 days, while 60% disapproved. Breaking it down further (per The New York Times/Siena College Poll), his trade policies garnered 42% approval vs. 53% disapproval; his approach to international conflicts, 40% vs. 54%; and his handling of the Russia-Ukraine conflict, 35% vs. 56%. With his 100-day ratings so poor, Trump hoped a successful ceasefire agreement would boost his standing and cast him as a peacemaker—hence his administration's "shuttle diplomacy," though notably lacking a figure like Henry Kissinger.

On one issue, however, a majority sides with Trump: gender. 51% approved his executive order defining sex strictly as male or female, with no "intermediate" or "non-binary" categories. At the same time, many oppose his administration's dismantling of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs in schools and colleges, which support minority groups, including gender minorities.

More broadly, Americans have grown skeptical of Trump's authoritarian tendencies. In his first days, he signed dozens of executive orders overturning Democratic administration programs, including in healthcare and social welfare. Many of these orders are already being challenged in court for overstepping presidential authority. Beyond legal disputes, polls show 63% of voters believe Trump "considers himself above the law." This perception was fueled by discussions in his circle about potentially extending his presidency to a third term. Widespread alarm also followed his permission for Musk's Government Efficiency Department to collect personal data on millions of Americans. Add to this his defiance of court rulings and the shuttering of federal agencies, and it’s no surprise 60% of Americans now see his presidency as a "threat to democracy."

That said, many Americans acknowledge that much of what Trump has done in his first 100 days aligns with his campaign promises. His supporters argue critics knew what they were getting. Yet some of his voters—including those who propelled him to the White House—already regret their choice. Women, who were less supportive of Trump in past elections, now give him just a 36% approval rating. Among independents, whose votes are often decisive, approval drops to 31%. Even Hispanic voters, whose late-campaign support secured his victory, have grown disillusioned—only 28% rate him positively. Early projections for the 2026 midterms suggest 47% would vote Democratic for the House, versus 44% Republican.

Emboldened by his belief in limitless presidential power, Trump has targeted a perhaps niche but influential sector of the electorate: higher education, specifically the "aristocracy" of Ivy League universities like Columbia and Harvard. These institutions have long enjoyed autonomy in governance, hiring, and campus life. Trump has moved to curb this academic freedom, ordering them to limit student and faculty influence, report "suspect" foreign students, and promote conservative viewpoints. Effectively, his administration seeks to bring private universities under federal control, undermining these liberal strongholds and Democratic Party recruiting grounds. The main leverage? Threatening to cut federal research funding. Harvard has already resisted, setting the stage for a protracted battle.