Trump Approval Rating Declines: Unpopular Policies Spark Concern

In February 2025, President Donald Trump's approval rating took a dip, with 48% of Americans approving of his job performance and 42% disapproving (Emerson College Polling, 2025). This decline reflects growing dissatisfaction with Trump's domestic and foreign policy ideas, particularly his proposals to eliminate certain government agencies and his expansionist foreign policy.

Domestically, Trump's proposal to eliminate the Department of Education and the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) faced strong opposition. Fifty-eight percent of voters opposed eliminating the Department of Education, with Democrats and independents strongly opposing it at 82% and 59% respectively. Similarly, 44% of voters opposed eliminating USAID, with Democrats and independents also expressing significant opposition (Emerson College Polling, 2025).

In terms of foreign policy, Trump's expansionist ideas were unpopular among Americans. Fifty-eight percent of voters opposed the U.S. owning the Gaza Strip, 55% opposed adding Canada as the 51st state, and 44% opposed acquiring Greenland as a U.S. territory. These findings suggest that the public is not supportive of Trump's expansionist foreign policy ideas (Emerson College Polling, 2025).

Additionally, Trump's tariff policies were seen as having mixed effects on the U.S. job market. Thirty-nine percent of voters thought tariffs would create American jobs, while 39% thought they would eliminate jobs. This divide in opinion indicates that the public is uncertain about the impact of Trump's tariff policies on the economy (Emerson College Polling, 2025).

The decline in Trump's approval rating reflects the public's growing dissatisfaction with his domestic and foreign policy ideas, particularly his proposals to eliminate certain government agencies, his expansionist foreign policy, and his tariff policies. The specific policies that are most unpopular among Americans include the elimination of the Department of Education and USAID, the expansion of U.S. territory to include the Gaza Strip, Canada, and Greenland, and the mixed effects of tariffs on the U.S. job market.

As the 2024 presidential election approaches, Trump's approval rating will continue to be a crucial factor in determining his chances of re-election. The public's dissatisfaction with his policies may prompt him to adjust his agenda or risk losing support. The long-term implications of Trump's approval rating and the public's perception of his policies will shape the future of US domestic and foreign policy, as well as the transatlantic relationship.

In conclusion, the decline in Trump's approval rating reflects the public's growing dissatisfaction with his domestic and foreign policy ideas, particularly his proposals to eliminate certain government agencies, his expansionist foreign policy, and his tariff policies. The specific policies that are most unpopular among Americans include the elimination of the Department of Education and USAID, the expansion of U.S. territory to include the Gaza Strip, Canada, and Greenland, and the mixed effects of tariffs on the U.S. job market. The long-term implications of Trump's approval rating and the public's perception of his policies will shape the future of US domestic and foreign policy, as well as the transatlantic relationship.