President Donald Trump’s polling in advance of his 100th day in office shows public support has eroded. His average job approval has fallen from a net +6 percent (51 approve to 45 disapprove) to a net -7 percent (45 approve to 52 disapprove). The partisan polarization is wide, with Gallup showing approval among Republicans 90 percent, independents 37 percent and Democrats 4 percent.
The President’s approval seems likely to slip a bit more over the next few months. The strength of his support among Republicans, especially those who identify as MAGA, should keep his approval near 40 percent.
Two developments could knock the President’s approval below two-fifths. One will develop in May as House and Senate Republican leaders detail elements of the reconciliation package authorized by the partisan budget resolution agreed to earlier this month. It will be nearly impossible for House Republicans to achieve their target spending cuts without reductions to Medicaid, impacting nearly one-fifth of 2024 Trump voters.
The second will come later this summer, also related to the reconciliation bill, when $5.8 billion in new deficits are likely to add to the troubles President Trump’s tariff trade war is causing in bond markets, with potential for overpowering the benefits of tax cuts and slowing economic growth.
President Trump is expected to submit a fiscal year 2026 budget the week of May 19 and it is anticipated to include large budget cuts, in addition to a pending plan to rescind $9.3 billion in current year expenditures.
At the 100-day mark, President Trump has enacted only 5 five laws, two fewer than the previous low by President George W. Bush in 2001. Instead, President Trump has relied on issuing 139 executive orders, many of which have been stymied in the courts for exceeding executive authority.
