Staff Reports
No sooner had President Trump settled into his second term than the optimism from Americans was palpable, making the contrast with the disapproving sentiments directed at Joe Biden even starker. Trump’s approval rating has jumped to 47 percent right out of the gate, with strong support soaring up to 29 percent. Meanwhile, a mere 41 percent express any form of disapproval, marking a noticeable uptick in popularity compared to his first term. Polling from Ipsos indicates that Trump is enjoying the highest net approval since 2017, which is certainly not something one would expect from a leader coming back for Round Two.
Trump Approval Numbers Are Already Coming In.
Here's How He's Doing. https://t.co/wKjQs6tXvW— Marlow62 (@Marlow3456) January 23, 2025
The remarkable thing about these new approval ratings is that they eclipse Trump’s first-term debut, which languished at just 43 percent. This latest fracas of polling shows that Democrats are steadfast in their disdain for Trump, with 84 percent not on board. However, among Republicans, the love is real, clocking in at a staggering 91 percent approval. The independents, often seen as the gray area of American politics, are split right down the middle—a nail-biting 44 percent approval to 45 percent disapproval. It seems one doesn’t need to be politically astute to detect a complex relationship with the independent voters’ feelings.
In a rather curious twist, the Ipsos results expose how Americans are decidedly uninterested in the U.S. expanding its territories. Ideas like retaking the Panama Canal and purchasing Greenland are met with eye rolls rather than enthusiastic nods. Instead, when it comes to military engagement abroad, voters are firmly against flexing American muscles. So much for manifest destiny; it appears the new motto could simply be “stay put and mind your own business.”
Despite the lack of enthusiasm for global conquest, the poll unearthed plenty of positive sentiments around Trump’s performance. A majority approve of his handling of the economy, immigration, and employment—three significant planks of his platform. Immigration, in particular, continues to yield robust numbers for Trump. Nearly half of Americans approve of his policies on that front, especially since the House just passed the Laken Riley Act, placing emphasis on enforcing laws and, not to put too fine a point on it, kicking illegal immigrants out of the country. It’s safe to say that the Democrats lost last November’s midterms largely because of their misguided stance on wide-open borders, creating a contrast that’s as bright as a neon sign flashing “Vote Republican.”
Looking at the broader picture, Republicans are also outperforming Democrats in various key issues according to the same poll. A substantial 40 percent believe the GOP has a superior economic plan compared to only 23 percent for the Democrat side. On immigration, the disparity is even larger, with a 43 percent to 21 percent lead for Republicans. In a time where doubts about democracy seem to swirl around more than those fall leaves, 32 percent feel the GOP has a better handle on political extremism, while 39 percent trust Republicans over Democrats when it comes to military issues. It begs the question: what’s the Democratic strategy here, waiting for their time on the sidelines while letting Republicans score the big points?
But it’s not all rosy roses for Trump and his supporters. The poll did uncover a couple of sore spots—namely, approval ratings on unity and the politicization of justice, where he was seen as lacking. Coming off the heels of Biden’s promises to unite the country only to deepen divisions, it’s a strange contradiction that Trump is expected to bridge gaps that the previous administration so eagerly carved. Even with minor blemishes in his overall assessment, Trump is managing to keep his head above water, and there’s still potential for growth in subsequent polls.
The party landscape looks vibrant for Republicans headed into this term. Whether one views it through the lens of historical context or a humorous look at political memes, the numbers reveal a party failing to gather momentum entirely at its own expense. The margin of error stands around 3.6 points—but one doesn’t need a crystal ball to guess how that will shift as Trump continues to take the reins. The path forward surely looks promising for the elephants; after all, the circus is just getting started.
