A newly released national poll is fueling debate over President Donald Trump’s first year back in office, with results showing a sharply divided country as the administration moves deeper into 2025.
According to a CNN/SSRS survey released Friday, 58 percent of U.S. adults described President Trump’s first year of his second term as a “failure,” while 42 percent labeled it a “success.” About one percent said they were unsure.
The poll also found that 61 percent of respondents said they disapprove of how President Trump is handling his job overall, while 39 percent said they approve.
Why Some Americans Disapprove
Among those who expressed dissatisfaction, respondents most often pointed to concerns about the president’s personal conduct. Roughly 35 percent cited issues such as temperament, rhetoric, or what they described as prioritizing personal interests over national unity.
Other respondents said their concerns centered on the use of presidential authority (25 percent), disagreement with policy priorities (23 percent), foreign policy decisions (15 percent), or ongoing cost-of-living pressures affecting household budgets (12 percent).
One independent voter from Oklahoma wrote that while the president “may be doing some good in certain areas,” they believe his leadership style comes across as overly self-focused.
Views on Presidential Power
When asked specifically about executive authority, 58 percent of those surveyed said President Trump has “gone too far” in using presidential powers. Another 34 percent said his use of authority is “about right,” while 8 percent said he has not gone far enough.
These responses highlight a broader national debate over executive power—an issue that has drawn scrutiny under presidents of both parties in recent decades.
Foreign Policy and Domestic Concerns
The survey also measured public reaction to recent foreign policy actions, including the administration’s aggressive stance toward Venezuela. The White House has emphasized its role in removing Nicolás Maduro from power and increasing U.S. influence over the country’s oil supply.
Democrats and critics, however, argue the administration is placing too much emphasis on foreign affairs while Americans continue to struggle with rising health care, housing, and everyday living costs at home.
According to the poll, 42 percent of respondents approve of President Trump’s handling of Venezuela, while 58 percent disapprove.
Economy, Health Care, and Priorities
On health care policy, just 36 percent of respondents said they approve of the president’s approach, compared with 63 percent who disapprove. Economic policy received slightly higher marks but still faced more opposition than support, with 39 percent approving and 61 percent opposing the administration’s direction.
When asked about priorities, only 36 percent of participants said President Trump is focused on the “right priorities,” representing a nine-point drop from the beginning of his term. Meanwhile, 64 percent said he has not paid enough attention to the country’s most important problems.
The economy and cost of living ranked as the top concern for Americans, cited by 42 percent of respondents. Concerns about the state of U.S. democracy followed at 22 percent.
Poll Details
The CNN/SSRS survey was conducted from January 9 through January 12 among 1,209 U.S. adults. The margin of error is plus or minus 3.1 percentage points.