On a scale of 1 out 5, how satisfied are Americans having Trump as President?
GoogleAI Mode: “As of November 2025, public opinion polls show that a significant portion of Americans express dissatisfaction with Donald Trump as President. His approval ratings are generally low, with a net disapproval rating in most polls, placing public satisfaction on the lower end of the 1 to 5 scale (likely a 2 or 1).
Recent polls indicate:
His approval rating is generally between 37% and 42%, while his disapproval rating is between 54% and 57%.
For example, a November 2025 AP-NORC poll found that about one-third of U.S. adults (36%) approve of his overall handling of the presidency.
A November 2025 CNN/SSRS poll showed a job approval of just 37%, a new low for his second term.
Public opinion is highly polarized, with overwhelming support from Republicans (around 90% approval) and very low support from Democrats (single-digit approval).
A majority of Americans express broad dissatisfaction with the state of the country and the economy under his leadership.
Overall, polls consistently show more Americans disapprove than approve of his job performance.”
What are key issues driving Trump’s disapproval?
GoogleAI Mode: “Key issues driving public disapproval of President Trump in November 2025 center around economic concerns (primarily inflation and the impact of his tariff policies), his handling of immigration, and general dissatisfaction with his management of the federal government and perceived overreach of presidential power.
Economic Concerns
Inflation and Cost of Living: The most critical issue for a majority of Americans is the increasing cost of housing and everyday expenses, particularly grocery prices. Voters had expected Trump to lower prices, but have seen little relief, leading to frustration and a sense of “broken promises”.
Tariffs: Disapproval of Trump’s tariff policies is significant, with majorities viewing the new tariffs as having a negative impact and increasing costs for consumers. There is a concern that the U.S. will be more hurt by a trade war than other countries.
Healthcare and Social Programs: Cuts to federal funding for healthcare programs like Medicaid and the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) as part of the “One Big Beautiful Bill Act” have been met with disapproval, especially among Democrats and independents.
Government and Executive Power
Management of the Federal Government: Public opinion shows dissatisfaction with his handling of the federal government, which some attribute to the ongoing government shutdown and the impact of cuts to the federal workforce and programs.
Expansion of Presidential Power: A majority of Americans (64%) believe Trump is going too far in trying to expand the power of the presidency, with concerns over his use of executive orders and extensive policy changes.
Health of Democracy: For many Democrats and independents, the “health of democracy” and the protection of basic rights are critical issues, and some view Trump’s changes as an “assault” on constitutional checks and balances.
Other Issues
Immigration: While a key issue for his base, the administration’s strict enforcement and deportation measures have caused some voters, particularly within Hispanic communities, to express less confidence in his handling of the issue. A majority of Americans believe the increase in funding for ICE to speed up deportations has “gone too far”.
Foreign Policy: His approval on foreign affairs and the situations in Ukraine and the Middle East is generally low, with many disapproving of his approach to international relations.”
How do current approval ratings compare to previous presidents at this point in their terms?
GoogleAI Mode: “President Trump’s current approval ratings are historically low compared to most previous presidents at the same point in their terms, with more Americans consistently disapproving than approving of his performance.
Key Comparisons
Lower than Most Modern Presidents: Trump’s approval ratings (around 37-42%) are lower than nearly all modern presidents at a similar stage in their first (or non-consecutive second) terms since World War II. Most presidents have had approval ratings above 50% at this point.
Average Approval Rating: His overall average approval rating throughout both his terms is lower than all presidents dating back to Harry Truman.
Comparison to First Term: His current approval rating is slightly higher than it was at the exact same point in his first term, but still reflects a net negative view.
Record Polarization: Trump’s ratings are marked by unprecedented partisan polarization, with very high approval among Republicans (around 90%) and very low approval among Democrats (single-digits). This partisan gap is wider than any other president in history, making cross-party appeal difficult.
Independent Voter Disapproval: Trump has consistently struggled with independent voters, averaging lower approval ratings among this group than any of his predecessors.
Specific Examples (at the 8-month mark of their first/non-consecutive second term):
President
George H.W. Bush
Approval Rating (%)
69%
President
Ronald Reagan
Approval Rating (%)
60%
President
George W. Bush
Approval Rating (%)
56%
President
Barack Obama
Approval Rating (%)
53%
President
Joe Biden
Approval Rating (%)
49%
President
Donald Trump (2025)
Approval Rating (%)
~40%
President
Donald Trump (2017)
Approval Rating (%)
36%
In summary, while there is strong loyalty among his base, President Trump’s inability to broaden his support among independents and Democrats results in persistently low overall approval ratings relative to historical norms.”
How do current approval ratings compare to previous presidents at this point in their terms?
GoogleAI Mode: “President Trump’s current approval ratings are historically low compared to most previous presidents at the same point in their terms, with more Americans consistently disapproving than approving of his performance.
Key Comparisons
Lower than Most Modern Presidents: Trump’s approval ratings (around 37-42%) are lower than nearly all modern presidents at a similar stage in their first (or non-consecutive second) terms since World War II. Most presidents have had approval ratings above 50% at this point.
Average Approval Rating: His overall average approval rating throughout both his terms is lower than all presidents dating back to Harry Truman.
Comparison to First Term: His current approval rating is slightly higher than it was at the exact same point in his first term, but still reflects a net negative view.
Record Polarization: Trump’s ratings are marked by unprecedented partisan polarization, with very high approval among Republicans (around 90%) and very low approval among Democrats (single-digits). This partisan gap is wider than any other president in history, making cross-party appeal difficult.
Independent Voter Disapproval: Trump has consistently struggled with independent voters, averaging lower approval ratings among this group than any of his predecessors.
Specific Examples (at the 8-month mark of their first/non-consecutive second term):
President
George H.W. Bush
Approval Rating (%)
69%
President
Ronald Reagan
Approval Rating (%)
60%
President
George W. Bush
Approval Rating (%)
56%
President
Barack Obama
Approval Rating (%)
53%
President
Joe Biden
Approval Rating (%)
49%
President
Donald Trump (2025)
Approval Rating (%)
~40%
President
Donald Trump (2017)
Approval Rating (%)
36%
In summary, while there is strong loyalty among his base, President Trump’s inability to broaden his support among independents and Democrats results in persistently low overall approval ratings relative to historical norms.”
What were the approval ratings of presidents at the same point in their first or second term?
GoogleAI Mode: “President Trump’s approval ratings at the 8-month mark of his second term are historically low, with most modern presidents enjoying significantly higher ratings at the same point in their terms, often above 50%.
Comparison of Presidential Approval Ratings
The following table compares the average approval ratings of post-World War II presidents at a similar point in their first or non-consecutive second terms (around the third quarter, or 8-9 months into the term).
President
John F. Kennedy
Term
First
Approx. Approval Rating (%)
76.8%
President
George W. Bush
Term
First
Approx. Approval Rating (%)
71.5%
President
George H.W. Bush
Term
First
Approx. Approval Rating (%)
69.0%
President
Dwight Eisenhower
Term
First
Approx. Approval Rating (%)
68.3%
President
Jimmy Carter
Term
First
Approx. Approval Rating (%)
60.2%
President
Richard Nixon
Term
First
Approx. Approval Rating (%)
59.7%
President
Ronald Reagan
Term
First
Approx. Approval Rating (%)
56.8%
President
Barack Obama
Term
First
Approx. Approval Rating (%)
52.9%
President
Bill Clinton
Term
First
Approx. Approval Rating (%)
47.7%
President
Donald Trump
Term
Second (2025)
Approx. Approval Rating (%)
~40-42%
President
Donald Trump
Term
First (2017)
Approx. Approval Rating (%)
~37%
President
Joe Biden
Term
First
Approx. Approval Rating (%)
~43% (at similar week)
Key Takeaways
Lowest Historical Average: Trump is the only post-WWII president to have sub-50% approval ratings at this point in the term in both his first and second administrations.
Significant Gap: The historical average approval rating for presidents in their first terms at this juncture is around 58.5%. Trump’s ratings fall far below this norm.
Unique Polarization: A key feature of Trump’s presidency is the extreme partisan divide in his ratings. While most presidents enjoy an initial “honeymoon period” with broad approval, Trump began both his terms with relatively low overall ratings due to very low support from the opposing party and a significant portion of independents.
For more detailed historical approval data, you can consult sources like the Gallup Poll or the Roper Center for Public Opinion Research.”
President Kennedy, who was in office the least amount of time, holds the record as the American President with the highest approval rating?
GoogleAI Mode: “No, while President Kennedy had the highest average approval rating of any president during his time in office (70.1%), he does not hold the record for the highest single approval rating ever recorded.
The record for the highest single presidential approval rating in Gallup’s polling history belongs to George W. Bush, who registered a 90% approval rating in September 2001, shortly after the 9/11 terrorist attacks, followed closely by his father, George H.W. Bush, who had an 89% rating after the success of the Gulf War in 1991. Harry S. Truman also had a high of 87% in June 1945 after the end of World War II in Europe.
Kennedy’s personal highest approval rating during his presidency was 83% in April and May 1961. His consistently high average rating is partly attributed to his abbreviated term, which prevented the typical second-term decline in popularity that most two-term presidents experience.
For more detailed historical approval data, you can consult sources like the Gallup Poll or the Roper Center for Public Opinion Research.”
On a scale of 1 out 5, how much does declaring or ending a war play in a president’s approval rating?
GoogleAI Mode: “Declaring or ending a war has a substantial but complex impact on a president’s approval rating, rating a 4 out of 5 on a scale of 1 to 5 for its potential to cause significant, immediate shifts in public opinion.
The Impact of War on Approval Ratings
The effect is highly significant and often immediate, though not always positive and tends to be short-lived:
Rally ‘Round the Flag Effect (War Onset): In general, the onset of an international crisis or war often leads to a temporary surge in presidential approval, known as the “rally ’round the flag” effect. This is driven by national unity and support for the commander-in-chief during a time of external threat.
High Impact Examples: George W. Bush’s approval rating jumped from 51% to 90% after the 9/11 attacks, the highest ever recorded. George H.W. Bush’s rating went from 58% to 89% at the start of the Gulf War.
Variable Impact: The magnitude of this effect can vary, and some studies find weak effects or even decreases in support, depending on the nature of the conflict and the president’s political alignment.
Crisis Termination (Ending a War): Ending a conflict can also boost approval. A 2022 study found that presidents received an average three-point increase in their approval rating when successfully terminating an international crisis. This reflects public approval of demonstrated foreign affairs competency.
Long-Term Decline: The initial rally effect is typically followed by a decline as the war progresses, especially if there are increasing casualties or significant financial costs. The public begins to punish governing parties after prolonged interventions, and the focus shifts to the economic and human toll.
Summary
The immediate act of initiating or successfully concluding a war is one of the most powerful external factors influencing presidential approval ratings, often leading to large, sudden spikes (or drops, if handled poorly). The effect is a powerful, though temporary, determinant of public satisfaction.”
Are there current presidents in the world likely to declare or end a war in 2025?
GoogleAI Mode: “In 2025, several presidents and world leaders are involved in active conflicts, and there are high expectations for potential significant shifts—particularly regarding the Ukraine and Middle East wars—driven largely by the policies of U.S. President Donald Trump and other regional leaders.
Presidents Likely to Declare or End a War
Donald Trump (United States):
Ending Wars: President Trump has repeatedly promised to end the wars in Ukraine and Gaza soon after taking office. The anticipation of his diplomatic push has generated momentum for compromise deals, though the specifics remain unclear. Some analysts predict the fighting in Ukraine might stop and the conflict become “frozen” rather than fully resolved.
Potential for Escalation (Iran): There is also a risk of the U.S. being drawn into a wider conflict with Iran if tensions escalate over its nuclear program or if Iran’s allies attack U.S. interests or allies in the Middle East. The U.S. may respond to Israeli calls for a decisive blow against Iran’s nuclear program.
Vladimir Putin (Russia):
Ending War: Facing financial pressure at home, President Putin is reportedly open to compromise, which could facilitate the end of major hostilities in Ukraine, though Moscow would likely present any outcome as a victory.
Continuing War: However, Russia maintains the upper hand on the battlefield and may continue its offensive if it believes Western support for Ukraine is waning.
Benjamin Netanyahu (Israel):
Continuing War: The war in Gaza and conflicts with Hezbollah in Lebanon are expected to persist, at least through early 2025. The Israeli government has shown a high tolerance for risk and is actively engaged in operations against Hamas and Hezbollah leadership.
Volodymyr Zelenskyy (Ukraine):
Ending War: President Zelenskyy has indicated a willingness to discuss peace and cede some territory under certain conditions, a shift in tone brought about by the political landscape and potential diminished Western support.
Heads of State in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and Rwanda:
Ending War: In late June 2025, the DRC and Rwanda signed a peace deal in the U.S. to end the decades-long conflict in eastern DRC. The success of this deal in achieving a lasting peace remains to be seen, as previous ceasefires have been violated.
Heads of State in India and Pakistan:
Ending War: A brief, intense military conflict between India and Pakistan in May 2025, following a terrorist attack in Kashmir, was ended by a ceasefire after only four days of hostilities.
Key Areas of Active Conflict in 2025
Beyond the above, other conflicts continue globally, which could see presidential actions:
The civil war in Sudan, which is the world’s largest humanitarian crisis, with no end in sight.
Ongoing conflicts in Myanmar, the Sahel region in Africa, and gang violence in Haiti.
Journalists and analysts generally avoid definitive predictions about the future, as global politics are highly uncertain. However, significant diplomatic and military actions are a focus of current global attention.”
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