Recent poll shows American disappointment with Trump’s tariffs as 100-day mark approaches
A recent survey shares divided American opinions on President Donald Trump as he nears the 100-day mark of his second term.
Donald Trump will soon approach the 100-day mark of his second presidential term. A recent NBC News Stay Tuned Poll, powered by SurveyMonkey, has Americans increasingly disappointed with how he is handling his presidency. The NBC News poll shows a deep divide over the things he was expected to perform the best, such as immigration (one of his most prominent topics of abuse), and tariffs, which came with widespread dissatisfaction.
The survey, conducted from April 11-20 with 19,682 adult respondents, also highlights larger worries about the direction of the country. According to NBC's poll finds that 55% of American adults disapprove of Donald Trump's presidency, while only 45% approve. Is Trump honeymoon with America over?
Trump's second administration disappoint Americans
Among Americans, 40% strongly disapprove of his presidency, compared to just under 25% who strongly approve of it. When only analyzing responses to Trump that trigger an emotion, negative responses (like "angry" or "furious") outnumber positive responses (like "happy" or "thrilled") by a large margin.
When discussing his specific policy stances, Trump does not enjoy majority approval on any issue. Regarding immigration, an important issue for his presidency that remains a significant component of his 2024 campaign and is one of his stronger issues, the public is split, with 49% approving and 51% disapproving of his handling of border security and immigration. Trump tariff policies, part of his economic agenda, receive the lowest approval score, with only 39% of Americans approving of it, compared to 61% disapproving.
The poll was conducted April 11-20, 2025, and surveyed 19,682 adults nationally. Photo: NBC News.
Furthermore, 60% of Americans consider the nation on the wrong path, and only 40% think it is on the right path. The most optimistic of the population about the country’s future are| Republicans, and in particular, those aligned with Trump’s MAGA movement. Within this demographic, 80% say the country is on the right path. Apart from Republicans, the only demographic where a majority think the country is on the right track is white men without college degrees, a slim majority of 54%.
The poll also illustrates the polarization among political parties in terms of opinions of Trump. 88% of Republicans approve of his presidency, while only 7% of Democrats approve, and 68% of independents disapprove of his presidency.
Trump's approval ratings across key issues
On particular issues that the Trump administration addressed, he has better approval ratings on social issues than economic ones. Still, he has never topped more than 49% approval on any issue in the poll and had fewer than half at a majority. The economy—the main issue Americans cared most about—recorded Trump's approval for handling inflation and the cost of living at just 40%. His approval as well for handling trade and tariffs is almost identical at 39%.
44% of Americans, a plurality, say inflation and rising costs of living are the most important economic issues facing themselves and their families, a viewpoint shared by demographic groups.
Trump's survey about their second administration. Photo: NBC News
Trump’s approval on social issues, like immigration, and diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI), is higher. 44% approved of his undercutting of DEI as it pushed federally funded programs to limit DEI initiatives, and 49% approve of his handling of border security and immigration.
Nevertheless, more pointed questions regarding these policy areas reveal potential vulnerabilities for Trump. Approximately 60% of Americans are opposed to revoking visas or deporting immigrants who are legally in the U.S. and have expressed opposition, spoken out, or protested the military actions against Gaza by Israel.
Looking at the issues broken down by party affiliation shows stark divisions. 83% of Republicans approve of Trump's handling of inflation and the cost of living, whereas 93% of Democrats disapprove, and 75% of independents disapprove. For trade and tariffs, 80% of Republicans approve of Trump's handling, while 94% of Democrats disapprove and 75% of independents disapprove.