New Polls Show America's Split Opinion on Trump’s Second Term

President Donald Trump has kicked off his second term with a bang, signing an executive order this week to dismantle the Department of Education—a move conservatives have been eyeing for decades. "Today we take a very historic action that was 45 years in the making," Trump declared during a White House ceremony. "It's about time."

Since returning to the White House two months ago, Trump has been anything but quiet. His whirlwind of executive orders—nearly 100 so far—has left policies flipped on their heads and federal workers reeling from significant cuts. This rate of action? Unmatched by his recent predecessors, making him either a bold reformer or a bulldozer of norms, depending on who you ask.

But not everyone is cheering. The latest Fox News poll shows Americans are divided right down the middle. Trump’s approval rating stands at 49%, with 51% of respondents disapproving of his performance. A closer look reveals stark partisan lines: a whopping 92% of Republicans are backing him, while an equally impressive 92% of Democrats are firmly against him. Meanwhile, independents—those ever-elusive political free agents—mostly disapprove of Trump’s leadership.

Interestingly, Trump’s 49% approval ties his personal best from April 2020, nearing the end of his first term. It's also a notable six-point improvement from March 2017, when he was still finding his footing in the Oval Office. Republican pollster Daron Shaw attributes this boost to the GOP’s now unwavering loyalty to Trump, a stark contrast to the early days of his first term when some Republicans were hesitant to embrace him. "The party’s completely solidified behind him," Shaw explained.

However, the road isn’t without bumps. Trump’s approval ratings have taken a slight dip since January, attributed to growing economic concerns. Inflation fears and skepticism around his tariffs are making voters, especially independents, uneasy. Shaw pointed out that independents are often swayed by economic conditions, adding, "If inflation comes down a bit, if there’s some growth, those numbers are going to flip. That’s what independents do. They go with the times."

And while Democrats seem to be grappling with record-low favorability towards their own party, they remain united in their disdain for Trump. Shaw remarked, "They don’t like their own party very much, but they all agreed that they don’t like Trump."

As Trump’s aggressive policies and polarizing leadership continue to dominate headlines, the divide in public opinion is as sharp as ever. Whether the economy rebounds or inflation bites harder, one thing is clear: the battle for independent voters will be pivotal in shaping Trump’s legacy in his second term.