Donald Trump no longer has to deal with just his political opponents; he is facing something more persistent and difficult to control: the erosion of public opinion.
As polls show a steady lead of disapproval over approval, the American president is seeing his narrative of “strong leadership” crack under the weight of the real-world consequences of his choices — from ICE violence and unfulfilled promises of cheaper living, to tariffs and controversial international interventions. His policies remain noisy — but his popularity is quietly slipping.
Trump and his downward spiral in the polls
The picture of the downward spiral is confirmed by the Pew Research Center, one of the most reliable polling institutes in the United States. In a recent poll (“Confidence in Trump Dips, and Fewer Now Say They Support His Policies and Plans“), just 27% of Americans say they support Donald Trump on “all or most” of his plans, while 52% say they support “few or none.” Of particular importance is the fact that the decline in support is being recorded even within the Republican party, an element that intensifies concerns about the cohesion of its political base.
As another source, RealClearPolitics, reports, according to the average of polls (“President Trump Job Approval“), Donald Trump’s popularity is once again on a downward trend during his second presidential term. As the graph shows, the net balance between approval and disapproval becomes negative again in the first months of 2025. On January 29, 2025, the approval rate is 44.8%, while disapproval reaches 50.3%, leading to a net popularity of -5.5%. A year later, on January 25, 2026, the picture worsens further, with approval falling to 42.8% and disapproval increasing to 54.8%, forming a negative balance of -12%.
This trend is reminiscent of Trump’s first presidential term, when his popularity plummeted toward the end of the 2017–2021 term. In January 2021, shortly before he left the White House, approval had fallen to 39.3%, while disapproval had soared to 57.6%, with a net popularity of -18.3%. The data suggests that, despite his re-election, Trump is again facing increased social discontent, which is quickly reflected in opinion polls.
The ICE Affair and Public Anger
US immigration policy and the aggressive actions of ICE agents have been a critical cause of the decline in popularity. According to a Reuters/Ipsos poll (“Majority of Americans say federal immigration enforcement efforts go too far“), just 39% of Americans approve of Trump’s handling of immigration, while more than 50% disapprove.
Additionally, 58% believe that ICE agents have “overstepped their bounds” after the arrest and death of people in Minneapolis that led to widespread public outcry (“Many Americans view ICE shooting in Minneapolis as excessive use of force“).
This tension has sparked internal reactions even within the Republican Party and has called into question the campaign promise that stricter enforcement of immigration laws would strengthen support for his administration.
Campaign promises on prices and tariffs
During the campaign, Trump had promised voters that he would reduce the cost of living and prices for consumers. However, a Reuters/Ipsos poll found that 73% of Americans expect prices to rise due to the tariffs he has implemented, and that many citizens hold the tariffs responsible for the increase in the cost of consumer goods (“January 2026 LSEG/Ipsos Primary Consumer Sentiment Index“).
At the same time, the imposition of tariffs has caused international tensions — for example, the Canadian prime minister described US tariffs on tens of billions of dollars worth of products as “very stupid,” in a move that triggered retaliation and increased economic uncertainty in Europe and North America.
Although the tariffs were intended to boost domestic production, the effects on the daily lives of Americans — particularly on the prices of basic goods — have increased discomfort and burdened Trump’s image in the public eye.
Foreign policy and international reactions
In the international arena, Trump’s policies have created additional crises that affect his image. In January 2026, the United States carried out military operations in Venezuela, including the arrest of Nicolas Maduro, sparking global criticism that the intervention was not in accordance with international law. The situation has provoked reactions from states and organizations in favor of a peaceful solution and respect for national sovereignty.
Meanwhile, Trump’s efforts to integrate Greenland into a broader U.S. strategy have sparked diplomatic tension with Denmark and other allies, while talks between the countries continue to address the tensions and ensure respect for the island’s sovereignty.
This approach to foreign policy — from military interventions to controversial geostrategic claims — has further damaged his public image, particularly among moderate voters and independents.
Rejection and polarization in American society
Overall, Trump’s performance reflects a deeply polarized American society. While he maintains high support among his hard-line supporters, polls show that a majority of citizens disapprove of many of his actions — especially on immigration, the economy, and foreign policy.
This gap between approval and disapproval — with increased disapproval ratings for key policy choices — is a potential political problem ahead of the midterm elections and has a significant impact on Trump’s standing both domestically and internationally.
