Trump's Low Approval Rating At 39%: Factors And Analysis Of The First 100 Days

Laila Abdi

7 min read

Post on Apr 30, 2025

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Policy Controversies and Public Backlash

The first 100 days of the Trump administration were marked by several highly controversial policy initiatives that significantly impacted his approval rating. These policies ignited widespread public debate and fueled negative media coverage, contributing to the low 39% approval rating.

The Travel Ban

The controversial travel ban, restricting entry from several Muslim-majority countries, immediately sparked intense public backlash.

• Negative media coverage and widespread protests: The ban was met with widespread condemnation from human rights organizations, legal scholars, and the public at large, leading to massive protests across the country. This negative media attention fueled public disapproval.
• Legal challenges and judicial setbacks: The travel ban faced numerous legal challenges, and several courts issued rulings against it, further undermining public confidence in the administration's policies and contributing to the low presidential approval rating.
• Impact on different demographic groups: The ban disproportionately affected certain demographic groups, leading to concerns about religious discrimination and fueling opposition from various segments of the population. This deepened the negative impact on the Trump approval rating.
• Shift in public perception regarding immigration policies: The travel ban solidified pre-existing anxieties and opinions regarding immigration policies, reinforcing negative perceptions among those who opposed stricter immigration controls. The impact on the presidential approval rating was profound.

Healthcare Repeal Efforts

Another major factor contributing to the low approval rating was the administration's unsuccessful attempts to repeal and replace the Affordable Care Act (ACA), also known as Obamacare.

• Failure to pass legislation: The Republican Party's failure to pass legislation to repeal the ACA despite controlling both houses of Congress reflected a lack of internal cohesion and an inability to deliver on a key campaign promise. This severely impacted the presidential approval rating.
• Public concerns about healthcare access and affordability: Concerns about healthcare access, affordability, and the potential impact on pre-existing conditions fueled public opposition to the repeal efforts, further damaging the Trump approval rating.
• Political divisions and the role of opposition parties: The deeply partisan nature of the healthcare debate, with fierce opposition from Democrats and internal divisions within the Republican party, hindered any progress and exacerbated the negative impact on the president’s approval rating.
• Impact on voter sentiment and the approval rating: The failure to deliver on a major campaign promise significantly impacted voter sentiment and contributed to the low approval rating observed during the first 100 days.

Communication and Media Relations

Trump's unique communication style and his often-strained relationship with the media also played a significant role in shaping public opinion during his first 100 days.

Trump's Communication Style

Trump's direct, often controversial, and frequently combative communication style contributed significantly to the low presidential approval rating.

• Use of social media and its effect on political discourse: His prolific use of social media, often bypassing traditional media outlets, shaped political discourse and further polarized public opinion. This unconventional approach had a significant impact on his approval rating.
• Frequent clashes with the media and accusations of "fake news": His frequent clashes with the mainstream media and accusations of "fake news" eroded public trust and created a climate of distrust, contributing to the lower presidential approval rating.
• Impact on public trust and credibility: This approach damaged public trust in both the administration and the media, creating a highly charged political environment that negatively impacted the president’s approval rating.
• Comparison to previous presidential communication strategies: Compared to previous presidential communication strategies, Trump's approach was markedly different, leading to increased public division and a noticeable decrease in presidential approval.

Media Coverage and Bias

Media coverage, both positive and negative, played a crucial role in shaping public perception of the Trump administration during its first 100 days.

• Analysis of media bias and its influence on public perception: Perceptions of media bias, whether real or perceived, influenced how the public interpreted events and policies, contributing to the overall climate surrounding the approval rating.
• The role of social media in disseminating information and shaping narratives: Social media platforms played a pivotal role in disseminating information and shaping narratives surrounding the Trump administration, impacting the public's understanding and influencing the presidential approval rating.
• The impact of differing media perspectives on voter sentiment: Varying media perspectives created a fragmented information landscape, impacting voter sentiment and contributing to the fluctuation of the presidential approval rating.
• The importance of media literacy in forming informed opinions: The importance of critical media consumption and media literacy was highlighted, underscoring the need for informed decision-making in forming opinions on presidential performance and its impact on the presidential approval rating.

Economic Performance and Public Expectations

Economic performance and the fulfillment (or lack thereof) of campaign promises also impacted Trump's approval rating during his first 100 days.

Economic Indicators During the First 100 Days

The economic indicators released during the first 100 days offered a mixed picture, failing to meet the high expectations set by the Trump campaign.

• Job growth and unemployment figures: While job growth remained positive, it didn't significantly exceed previous trends, failing to meet the substantial growth promised during the campaign. This impacted public opinion and the presidential approval rating.
• Stock market performance: The stock market experienced some growth, but this was not universally interpreted as a positive sign, given global economic uncertainties. This dampened the expected positive boost to the presidential approval rating.
• Public perception of economic progress: Public perception of economic progress was lukewarm, with many believing that promised improvements had not yet materialized. This directly impacted the presidential approval rating.
• Comparison to economic performance under previous administrations: Comparisons to economic performance under previous administrations influenced public perception of the Trump administration's economic achievements and contributed to the presidential approval rating.

Unfulfilled Campaign Promises

Many of Trump's campaign promises remained unfulfilled after the first 100 days.

• Specific examples of broken promises and their consequences: Specific examples of broken promises, particularly relating to healthcare and infrastructure, damaged public trust and negatively affected the presidential approval rating.
• Public perception of presidential trustworthiness: Unfulfilled promises eroded public trust in the president's ability to deliver on his commitments, impacting his approval rating.
• Impact on voter engagement and disillusionment: The lack of tangible progress on key campaign promises led to voter disillusionment, affecting the president's approval rating.
• The role of campaign rhetoric in shaping expectations: The campaign's rhetoric had created exceptionally high expectations, making it difficult for the administration to meet the public's demands. This contributed significantly to the low presidential approval rating.

Conclusion

Donald Trump's 39% approval rating after his first 100 days was a consequence of multiple interconnected factors. Policy controversies, a combative communication style, media scrutiny, and unmet expectations all contributed to a significant dip in public approval. Understanding these factors is crucial for analyzing the trajectory of the Trump presidency and its impact on his presidential approval rating.

Call to Action: To further understand the complexities of presidential approval ratings and the ongoing impact of these early events, continue your research into the Trump presidency and explore the subsequent changes in his approval rating. Stay informed on the latest political analysis surrounding the impact of Trump's policies and communication style on public opinion. Understanding the factors behind the initial low Trump approval rating offers valuable insight into the dynamics of presidential leadership and public perception.