Trump's 39% Approval Rating: A Deeper Look At The First 100 Days In Office

Felix Dubois

5 min read

Post on Apr 30, 2025

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Policy Decisions and Public Opinion

The first 100 days of any presidency are a crucial period for setting the tone and agenda. Trump's early policy decisions significantly impacted his approval rating, sparking both support and widespread criticism.

Controversial Executive Orders

Several executive orders issued early in Trump's term proved particularly controversial, directly influencing public opinion and his approval rating decline.

• The Travel Ban: The initial iteration of the executive order restricting entry from several Muslim-majority countries faced immediate and widespread condemnation, leading to legal challenges and protests. Polls showed a sharp drop in approval among many demographics following this action. The revised order, while less sweeping, continued to generate significant opposition.
• Withdrawal from the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP): This decision, while cheered by some, alienated others who saw it as damaging to US trade interests and global leadership. Surveys revealed a mixed reaction, but the move undoubtedly contributed to the overall negativity surrounding his early policy decisions.
• Changes to Environmental Regulations: Rollbacks of environmental protections sparked protests from environmental groups and those concerned about climate change. This fueled existing divisions and contributed negatively to his overall approval rating.

Keywords: executive orders, public opinion, Trump policies, approval rating decline, policy impact, presidential approval

Legislative Achievements (or Lack Thereof)

Trump's legislative agenda during his first 100 days encountered significant hurdles. While the confirmation of several cabinet appointees represented a success, major legislative initiatives faced considerable resistance in Congress.

• Healthcare Reform: Efforts to repeal and replace the Affordable Care Act (ACA) stalled, highlighting the challenges of achieving bipartisan support for major policy changes.
• Infrastructure Spending: Despite campaign promises, significant legislation on infrastructure investment failed to materialize in the first 100 days.
• Tax Reform: No major tax reform legislation was passed within the first 100 days, reflecting the political gridlock and difficulties in achieving legislative success.

Keywords: legislative agenda, Congressional approval, policy impact, Trump presidency, political gridlock

Communication Style and Media Coverage

Trump's unique communication style and his often strained relationship with the media played a significant role in shaping public perception and his approval rating.

The Role of Social Media

Trump's prolific use of Twitter and other social media platforms proved both a blessing and a curse.

• Direct Communication: It allowed him to bypass traditional media and connect directly with his supporters.
• Controversial Statements: However, his frequent controversial tweets and statements often overshadowed policy achievements and fueled negative media coverage, negatively impacting his approval rating. Numerous media analyses directly linked spikes in negative coverage to specific tweets.

Keywords: social media impact, Trump's communication, media coverage, public perception, presidential communication

Relationship with the Media

The relationship between Trump and the mainstream media was consistently fraught with tension.

• "Fake News" Accusations: His frequent accusations of "fake news" eroded public trust in the media and further polarized public opinion.
• Negative Portrayal: Critics argued that the media's portrayal of Trump was often overly negative and contributed to the perception of his presidency. This, in turn, impacted his approval rating.

Keywords: media relations, fake news, press coverage, Trump's image, public trust

Economic Performance and Public Expectations

Economic indicators and the fulfillment (or lack thereof) of campaign promises significantly impacted Trump's approval rating during his first 100 days.

Economic Indicators

While some economic indicators showed positive signs during his first 100 days, they were not dramatic enough to substantially boost approval.

• Job Growth: Job growth was relatively modest, failing to meet the high expectations set during the campaign.
• Stock Market Performance: The stock market saw some gains, but these were not uniformly positive across all sectors.
• Economic Uncertainty: Concerns about the potential impact of Trump's policies on various sectors of the economy led to a level of economic uncertainty.

Keywords: economic performance, job growth, stock market, economic impact, economic uncertainty

Campaign Promises and Delivery

Trump's campaign was characterized by bold promises, many of which proved difficult to deliver on within the first 100 days.

• Border Wall: Construction of the promised wall along the Mexican border did not commence.
• Repeal of Obamacare: Attempts to quickly repeal and replace the Affordable Care Act failed.
• Infrastructure Spending: Promised large-scale infrastructure spending failed to materialize immediately.

The perceived gap between campaign promises and early policy implementation contributed to a sense of disappointment among some voters.

Keywords: campaign promises, policy implementation, voter expectations, broken promises

Conclusion

Trump's 39% approval rating at the end of his first 100 days stemmed from a confluence of factors. His controversial executive orders, difficulties in achieving legislative success, his combative communication style and relationship with the media, along with modest economic gains and the failure to deliver on key campaign promises all contributed to this historically low figure. This low approval rating had significant implications for his presidency, setting a challenging tone for the remainder of his term and impacting the political landscape. Understanding Trump's 39% approval rating is crucial for comprehending the complexities of his first 100 days and its lasting consequences. Continue the conversation by sharing your thoughts on the factors influencing his approval rating in the comments below.