US President Donald Trump’s approval rating has dropped from 47% to 43%, according to a new Gallup poll, reflecting increasing public discontent with his administration’s controversial policies. The decline in his approval comes as Americans react to the president’s early actions, including the controversial Project 2025 agenda, proposed tariffs that disrupt markets, and various unusual policy initiatives such as the pursuit of acquiring Greenland and efforts to reshape US influence in the Gulf.
Trump, who had distanced himself from the Project 2025 agenda during his campaign, has quickly embraced its policies since taking office. This swift shift has raised concerns about alienating key voters and potentially dampening the initial support for his presidency. As reported by Vanity Fair, this has led to increased scrutiny of Trump’s policy decisions, with critics warning that his administration’s direction could have long-term political consequences.
Among the most contentious moves has been the proposed renaming of the Gulf of Mexico, discussions regarding the purchase of Greenland, and the imposition of tariffs that affect trade relations with Canada and Mexico. These actions have been widely criticized and are seen as contributing to a drop in public approval for Trump’s administration.
In addition, Trump’s government spending cuts, particularly those that could impact funding for medical research on cancer and Alzheimer’s disease, have sparked concern among the American public. These proposed cuts have raised alarms about the future of vital healthcare programs, further adding to the discontent with the administration.
Another notable figure in Trump’s orbit is billionaire Elon Musk, who has been influencing federal agencies under Trump’s leadership. Musk’s favorability rating has also taken a hit, dropping by 10 points between February and March, amid ongoing protests related to his company, Tesla. The decline in Musk’s approval comes as Trump’s policies and actions continue to draw increasing criticism from the public.
The dissatisfaction with Trump’s leadership is evident in several key areas. A recent Associated Press-NORC Center poll found that only 38% of Americans approve of Trump’s handling of trade negotiations, while 40% support his economic policies. Additionally, only 41% of Americans back his approach to the Russia-Ukraine conflict and Social Security. However, immigration remains the area where Trump enjoys his strongest support, with 49% approval.
Trump’s presidency, which began with relatively high approval ratings, now faces increasing public scrutiny. His controversial policies, combined with ongoing concerns about his leadership, are contributing to a growing sense of unease among the American public.
In addition to the drop in approval ratings, Trump’s administration is facing heightened scrutiny due to the so-called “Signalgate” scandal. Reports suggest that National Security Adviser Mike Waltz created a Signal group to discuss classified plans for a Yemen attack. The group reportedly included 17 government officials, including Vice President JD Vance, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, and Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth. Notably, Atlantic editor-in-chief Jeffrey Goldberg was also included in the group, which has sparked significant attention.
The White House has attempted to downplay the scandal, but a CBS News-YouGov poll found that 76% of Americans, including 56% of Republicans, believe it was inappropriate to discuss military operations on an unsecured messaging app.
Despite the growing public criticism, Trump has not taken action against Waltz. Reports suggest that Trump asked his allies for advice on whether to remove Waltz but ultimately decided against it to avoid appearing to yield to media pressure. This decision has raised questions about Trump’s ability to manage his administration amid mounting controversies.
