Only Half of Republicans Back Trump’s First 100-Days, AP-NORC Poll Finds
A recent AP-NORC poll highlighted a polarized public response to President Donald Trump’s initial months in his second term, with many Americans questioning his focus and performance, while Republicans show tempered support.
Public Perception of Trump’s Priorities
The survey, conducted by The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research, indicates that Americans are nearly twice as likely to believe Trump is focusing on the wrong priorities compared to those who think his attention is well-placed.
Approximately 4 in 10 Americans rate Trump’s presidency as “terrible,” with 1 in 10 calling it “poor.”
Conversely, about 3 in 10 view his performance as “great” or “good,” and just under 2 in 10 consider it “average.”
Democrats are particularly critical, with three-quarters asserting that Trump is misaligned in his priorities.
Rahsaan Henderson, a 40-year-old Democrat from California, expressed frustration, stating, “It has been one of the longest 100 days I’ve ever had to sit through.”
He added, “I think the next four years will be a test of seeing who can resist the most and continue defying whatever he’s trying to do, since he defies everything, including the Supreme Court.”
Republican Support and Reservations
While Republicans generally back Trump, their enthusiasm is not universal.
About 7 in 10 Republicans view him as at least a “good” president, but only half believe he is focusing on the right priorities.
Tanner Bergstrom, a 29-year-old Republican from Minnesota, praised Trump’s follow-through, saying, “He’s really doing the stuff that he said he was going to do. Even if it’s some stuff I don’t agree with, it’s still doing what he said he was going to do.”
However, some Republicans, like Stephanie Melnyk, a 45-year-old from Tennessee, voiced concerns about Trump’s foreign policy, particularly on Ukraine, noting, “He’s trying for a quick fix that’s not going to last.”
She also criticized his communication style, saying, “He sounds like he can be very condescending, and it sounds like my way or the highway.”
Policy Strengths and Challenges
Trump’s handling of immigration garners relatively stronger approval, with 46% of U.S. adults supporting his approach, slightly above his overall approval rating of 4 in 10.
However, his management of foreign policy, trade negotiations, and the economy draws lower approval, with only about 4 in 10 Americans expressing support in these areas.
Republicans like Matthew Spencer, a 30-year-old from Texas, lauded Trump’s cost-cutting measures, stating, “I think that the Department of Government Efficiency has made great strides in reducing our spending, and I also agree with putting America first.”
Meanwhile, Democrats like Gabriel Antonucci, a 26-year-old from South Carolina, described Trump’s term as “just a lot more ridiculous” than expected, warning, “It really seems like he is doing everything he can to make the wrong decisions.”
Expectations vs. Reality
Most Americans — about 7 in 10 — found Trump’s first 100 days unsurprising, aligning with their expectations.
However, those caught off-guard, primarily Democrats and independents, are more likely to view his priorities as misguided and his presidency as poor or terrible.
Democrats’ outlook on the economy has notably soured since Trump took office, with many believing he has “gone too far” on policies like deportations and tariffs.
The poll, conducted April 17-21 with 1,260 adults, carries a margin of error of plus or minus 3.9 percentage points, reflecting a snapshot of a divided nation navigating Trump’s early second term.