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- Donald Trump is the least popular newly elected president since World War II, with lower approval ratings than any of his predecessors at the start of their terms.
- Trump’s current job approval rating stands at around 50%, with 43% disapproving of his performance so far.
- Historical comparisons show that Trump’s transition and job approval ratings are significantly lower than those of other recent presidents.
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Essential Context
Donald Trump’s return to the presidency is marked by unusually low approval ratings. Unlike his predecessors, Trump’s transition and initial job approval ratings are the lowest since World War II.
Core Players
- Donald Trump – The 47th President of the United States, known for his divisive policies and public persona.
- Joe Biden – Trump’s predecessor, whose transition and job approval ratings were significantly higher.
- Barack Obama – A former president with high transition and job approval ratings, often used as a benchmark for comparison.
- George W. Bush – Another former president whose ratings were higher than Trump’s during their respective transitions and early terms.
Key Numbers
- 50% – Trump’s current job approval rating.
- 43% – Percentage of Americans disapproving of Trump’s performance so far.
- +7% – Trump’s net approval rating, significantly lower than his predecessors.
- 44.6% – Trump’s initial job approval rating in 2017, the lowest for a new president at the time.
- 61%-83% – Transition approval ratings for other recent presidents like Clinton, Obama, and Biden.
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The Catalyst
Trump’s second presidential transition has seen an improvement in ratings compared to his first, but these ratings remain historically low. A Gallup poll showed 51% of Americans approved of his handling of the transition, while 44% disapproved, an improvement from his first transition but still below other recent presidents.
This low approval is echoed in his initial job approval rating, which is near 50% with 43% disapproving, a net approval of +7%, the lowest for any new president since World War II.
Inside Forces
Independents’ approval is also lower than in past transitions, with 47% approving of Trump’s transition, compared to at least 59% for other presidents-elect.
Power Dynamics
The political landscape is highly polarized, affecting Trump’s ratings. Historical data shows that opposition party supporters have been more critical of Trump and Biden than they were of previous presidents. This polarization is a significant factor in Trump’s low approval ratings.
Trump’s relationship with the media and public has been contentious, contributing to his unique position in terms of public approval.
Outside Impact
The broader implications of Trump’s low approval ratings include potential challenges in policy implementation and public support. Unlike other presidents who enjoyed a honeymoon period with high job approval ratings, Trump may face ongoing criticism and resistance.
This could affect his ability to pass legislation and implement his policy agenda, particularly given the historical context where low transition approval often precedes lower early-term job approval ratings.
Future Forces
Looking ahead, Trump’s administration will likely face significant challenges. Key areas to watch include:
- Legislative battles: Trump may struggle to pass his policies due to low public support.
- Public perception: Ongoing negative perceptions could impact his ability to build a coalition for his agenda.
- Policy implementation: low approval ratings might hinder the effectiveness of his policies.
- International relations: Global leaders may view Trump’s low approval ratings as a sign of weakness, potentially affecting diplomatic relations.
Data Points
- January 20, 2025: Trump’s inauguration day.
- December 2016: Trump’s first transition approval ratings were split evenly at 48% positive and 48% negative.
- January 2017: Trump’s initial job approval rating was 44.6%, the lowest for a new president.
- 61%-83%: Transition approval ratings for Clinton, Obama, and Biden.
- +7%: Trump’s current net approval rating.
The low approval ratings for Donald Trump as the least popular newly elected president since World War II set a challenging stage for his second term. As he navigates these waters, his ability to implement policies and garner public support will be crucial.
