New Polls Show Improved Approval Ratings for Trump in Second Term

President Donald Trump is gearing up to highlight his whirlwind return to the White House during a primetime address to Congress tonight. With six weeks of action-packed governance under his belt, he’s promising a "BIG" night of straight-talk, and let’s be honest—there's never a dull moment with this guy.

Trump himself has called his first month back in office the "Best Opening Month of any President in history." While his moves—ranging from executive orders to controversial policy shifts—have certainly been bold, Americans seem split on how they feel about it all.

Recent polls paint a mixed picture. A Marist College poll for PBS News and NPR shows Trump with 45% approval and 49% disapproval, while a CNN survey places him slightly higher at 48% approval. Interestingly, some polls, including CBS News, show him just above water. Regardless of the exact numbers, one thing is clear: Trump remains a polarizing figure, with Republicans solidly in his corner and Democrats overwhelmingly disapproving. Shocker, right?

Compared to his first term, however, his second term ratings are noticeably improved. Back in 2017, he started off underwater and stayed there. This time, his solidified Republican base is helping him stay afloat. Daron Shaw, a political scientist, points out that the GOP's support is a stark contrast to the lukewarm backing Trump received from his own party in his first go-around.

The president has wasted no time flexing his executive muscle, signing a whopping 81 executive orders since January 20—more than any recent president at this point in their term. These include moves to crack down on immigration, propose tariffs on major trading partners like Canada and Mexico, and freeze foreign aid. It’s been a flurry of activity that's left the public barely time to catch their breath.

Yet, not everyone’s thrilled with the pace. Lee Miringoff of the Marist Institute for Public Opinion describes it as a "flooding-of-the-zone," with so much happening that the public is struggling to keep up. And while Trump’s approval ratings are higher than his first term, they’re still lagging behind recent predecessors like Joe Biden, who started his presidency in the low-to-mid 50s before plummeting later on.

Speaking of Biden, his presidency serves as a cautionary tale. His approval ratings nosedived after the chaotic U.S. exit from Afghanistan and skyrocketing inflation, never recovering. Trump, who campaigned heavily on economic issues, might face a similar fate if inflation remains high. Daron Shaw warns that while Trump has a positive rating on issues like crime and immigration, the economy remains a critical factor in his political fortunes.

As Trump takes the stage tonight, expect him to tout his accomplishments and make his case to the nation. Love him or hate him, the man knows how to command attention. One thing’s for sure—this presidency is shaping up to be as unpredictable as ever.