Trump Second Term 100 Days: Polling Scorecard

The first 100 days of Trump’s second term produced the steepest approval decline of any modern president’s opening stretch — driven by tariff shock, Medicaid threats, and DOGE turbulence.

Approval Rating: Inauguration to Day 100

Trump began his second term at 47% approval — the highest of his political career, boosted by an incumbent opposition wave. By Day 100, that had fallen to 39%, with disapproval at 58%.

The 8-point drop in 100 days is steeper than any comparable period in his first term, and worse than Biden’s equivalent decline in 2021.

What Drove the Decline

Tariffs were the single biggest driver. When the 90-day pause on reciprocal tariffs ended in April, approval of Trump’s trade policy fell to 35% — with 61% of voters saying tariffs had already raised prices for groceries and household goods.

Medicaid cuts emerged as the most toxic specific policy. The proposed $880 billion reduction to Medicaid/CHIP polled at −59 net, including −31 among Republicans. Senate Republicans facing 2026 races immediately distanced themselves.

DOGE started strongly in January (+18 net) but fell to −12 net by April as federal layoffs hit swing-state communities and Social Security office closures triggered bipartisan backlash.

Partisan Breakdown

Republican approval held at 88%. But Independent approval collapsed from 45% in January to 31% in April — the key driver of the overall decline. Democrat disapproval is near-total at 94%.

What Comes Next

Historically, second-term presidents at 39% approval after 100 days face severe midterm losses. The 2018 analogy — when Trump entered with 42% approval and Democrats gained 40 House seats — is widely cited. With 2026 approval 3 points lower, the structural environment for Democrats is stronger than in any recent cycle.