This is great for MAGA world.
As President Trump embarks on his second term, he’s enjoying an approval rating higher than his first time in office—and significantly better than the approval rating of his predecessor, Joe Biden, when he left the White House. According to a recent Reuters poll, 47% of Americans now approve of Trump’s presidency, the highest approval he’s seen since his initial term began in 2017. By contrast, Biden’s approval rating was just 37% as he left office, the lowest of his presidency.
Trump’s policies on immigration have played a key role in his renewed popularity. His stance on border security, particularly his decision to cancel the CBP One app—which allowed migrants to schedule immigration appointments before entering the country—has resonated with many Americans. A notable 58% of poll respondents agree that the U.S. should dramatically reduce the number of migrants eligible to claim asylum at the southern border, reflecting strong support for Trump’s tough stance on immigration.
However, despite his policies on border security gaining widespread approval, Trump’s overall approval rating remains below 50%. This is in line with the historical trend that sees new presidents starting with higher approval ratings—typically above 50%. Jacob Rubashkin, a political analyst at Inside Elections, pointed out that Trump’s approval is still low compared to the historical norm for incoming presidents, which usually hover above the 50% mark.
Trump’s decision to pardon nearly 1,600 individuals involved in the January 6 Capitol riot appears to have impacted his approval among some voters, with 58% of respondents opposing such pardons. Additionally, only about 29% of Americans approved of his handling of the justice system’s politicization.
Despite these challenges, Trump’s position among Republican voters remains strong, especially as he faces off against former Vice President Kamala Harris in a predicted landslide victory for 2024. If Trump can continue to consolidate his base and address key issues like border security, his second term could be off to a promising start.