Poll finds majority of Americans view Trump’s second term as worse than expected
Washington, D.C.: Two months into Donald Trump’s second term, a new Yahoo News/YouGov survey reveals that a significant number of Americans believe his presidency has been worse than anticipated. The poll, conducted between March 20 and 24 among 1,677 U.S. adults, shows that 41% of respondents feel Trump’s performance has fallen below expectations, while 30% say it has been better. Another 22% say it has been "about the same" as they expected.
Trump’s approval ratings have also declined since his re-election in November. Immediately after the election, 51% of Americans approved of his first-term performance, with 43% disapproving. However, the latest poll indicates a reversal, with 50% now disapproving of his current performance and 44% approving. His personal favourability has also dropped, with 52% viewing him unfavourably and 44% favourably.
Public perception of Trump’s impact on American democracy has shifted noticeably. In November, 43% of respondents said Trump “likes to talk tough” but would not threaten democracy, compared to 39% who felt he posed a real threat. In the latest poll, 47% now believe Trump threatens democracy, while only 39% think otherwise.
Economic concerns appear to be a major factor behind Trump’s declining popularity. Nearly half of Americans identified the cost of living (23%) or the economy (23%) as the country’s most pressing issues. However, only 11% felt Trump prioritised these issues in his second term, with far more citing immigration (37%) and government spending (25%) as his focus.
The poll also highlights persistent economic anxiety among Americans. Only 26% rate the economy as excellent or good, and 47% believe it is worsening. A majority (51%) say inflation is rising, and 66% report that grocery prices continue to climb.
Trump’s approval rating for handling the economy stands at 39%, with 51% disapproving. His approval for managing the cost of living is lower, at 34%. The poll further indicates that Trump’s tariff policies have not improved public sentiment. While 46% agree tariffs may encourage domestic manufacturing, a larger share (49%) believes they will lead to a recession, and 68% feel tariffs will raise personal costs.
Overall, 51% of respondents believe Trump’s tariff policies are negatively affecting the economy, while only 20% view them positively.
The survey sample was weighted by gender, age, race, education, 2024 election turnout and vote, party identification, and voter registration status. The margin of error is approximately 2.6%.
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Mumbai cops reach Kamra's Mahim 'home'; haven't stayed there for 10 years, says comedian
Mumbai (PTI): Stand-up comedian Kunal Kamra on Monday failed to appear before Khar police in connection with the case registered for his "traitor" jibe at Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, while a team went to his Mahim "home" to "check" his availability.
The comedian later took a jibe at the police saying the visit was a waste of time and public resources as he had not been living there for the past 10 years.
Kamra was supposed to appear before Khar police during the day, an official said, adding it was the second time he was summoned.
"A Khar police team went to his house in Mahim, where his family stays, to check whether he would appear in connection with the case or not. Since he did not, further course of action will be decided soon," the official said.
In a post on X, Kamra said, "Going to an address where I haven't lived for the last 10 years is a waste of your time & public resources."
The first notice seeking his appearance was issued last week, and the comedian's request for seven days' time was denied by police.
The Madras High Court on March 28 granted interim anticipatory bail to Kamra on the condition that he execute a bond to the satisfaction of the judicial magistrate at Vanur in Villupuram district in Tamil Nadu.
Kamra had submitted he moved to Tamil Nadu from Mumbai in 2021 and has been "ordinarily a resident of this State (Tamil Nadu) since then" and that he feared arrest by Mumbai police.
Last week, three FIRs against him at Nashik Rural, Jalgaon and Nashik (Nandgaon) were transferred to Khar police station, where a case has already been registered on the complaint of Shiv Sena MLA Murji Patel.
The studio where Kamra shot his video lampooning Shinde over the split in the Shiv Sena is located in Khar in the western part of the metropolis. Shiv Sainiks had ransacked the studio and the hotel in which it is located on the night of March 23.
Going to an address where I haven’t lived for the last 10 Years is a waste of your time & public resources… pic.twitter.com/GtZ6wbcwZn
— Kunal Kamra (@kunalkamra88) March 31, 2025
