Trump Approval Steady at 45% Amid Partisan Split on Deportations and 'Big, Beautiful Bill'

President Donald Trump’s approval rating is holding steady at 45% as he marks six months into his second term, but the nation remains sharply divided over his policies, according to the latest national survey from Marquette Law School. The numbers paint a picture of a polarized America, with Republicans standing firmly behind the president at 86% approval, while Democrats overwhelmingly disapprove at 93%. Independents, meanwhile, aren’t warming up, with 62% expressing disapproval—a slight dip from earlier this year.

The partisan rift extends beyond personal approval to Trump’s ambitious second-term agenda. His signature legislation, dubbed the ‘one big, beautiful bill,’ has become a lightning rod. Passed through a Republican-led Congress via reconciliation and signed into law by Trump’s self-imposed July 4 deadline, the megabill promises tax cuts, border security funding, Medicaid reform, and an energy overhaul. Yet, 59% of Americans disapprove of it, with Democrats nearly unanimous in opposition at 94%, while 79% of Republicans cheer it on. Even some fiscal conservatives, like Rep. Thomas Massie (R-Ky.), have balked, warning of the bill’s projected $2.4 trillion addition to the federal deficit over a decade, per the Congressional Budget Office.

Then there’s the economy—a sore spot for many. Inflation tops the list of concerns for 34% of Americans, and 60% believe Trump’s policies, including tariff plans, will drive prices higher. Only 28% think he’ll tame inflation, with opinions predictably split along party lines. Meanwhile, fears of a ballooning deficit are growing, with 68% of Americans expecting it to worsen, a sharp rise from May.

On immigration, Trump’s aggressive deportation rollout is losing steam. Support has dropped to 57% from 66% in May, amid rising tensions and violent protests against federal immigration authorities, notably in Los Angeles, where Trump deployed the National Guard to quell riots. While Republicans remain staunch supporters, a majority of Independents now oppose the policy, and Democratic disapproval has surged. Adding to the controversy, 55% of Americans believe the deportations largely target immigrants without criminal records—a perception that fuels further debate.

Trump’s second term has been defined by bold executive actions, reversing longstanding policies and pushing for deep cuts to the federal workforce. But the public’s verdict is clear: his approval has lingered in negative territory since March, underwater in most national polls this month. Six months in, the president faces a nation as divided as ever, with his sweeping vision for America inspiring both fervent loyalty and fierce resistance.