Trump's Approval Rating Drops to 42% Amid Public Concerns Over Power Expansion

Former U.S. President Donald Trump's approval rating has hit a new low since he took office, with a significant portion of the public expressing concern over his efforts to expand his powers. A recent poll, conducted over six days, revealed that approximately 42% of respondents approved of Trump's performance as president, marking a decrease from 43% three weeks prior and 47% shortly after his inauguration.

The poll, which surveyed 4,306 individuals, highlighted a strong sentiment among the American public regarding the rule of law. Approximately 83% of respondents agreed that the U.S. president must adhere to federal court rulings, even if he disagrees with them. This sentiment was echoed by a majority of respondents who opposed the idea that the president could withhold funding from universities if he disapproved of their operations. Notably, 57% of respondents, including one-third of Republicans, disagreed with the statement that the president could withhold university funds if he did not approve of their management.

Trump's actions, such as freezing federal funds to universities, including over $20 billion to Harvard University, have been met with public disapproval. The poll indicated that a majority of respondents disapproved of Trump's handling of various issues, including inflation, immigration, taxation, and the rule of law. Even on immigration, where Trump's approval rating was highest, 46% of respondents disapproved of his performance, compared to 45% who approved.

The poll also revealed that 59% of respondents, including one-third of Republicans, believed that the U.S. was losing credibility on the global stage. Additionally, three-quarters of respondents expressed that Trump should not seek a third term, despite his previous statements indicating his desire to do so. This sentiment was shared by 53% of Republican respondents, who also believed that Trump should not pursue another term.

The findings of this poll underscore the growing public dissatisfaction with Trump's leadership and his efforts to expand his executive powers. The concerns raised by the American public regarding the rule of law, the handling of various domestic issues, and the potential for further power expansion have created a challenging political environment for Trump. As the public's unease with his leadership continues to grow, it remains to be seen how Trump will navigate these challenges in the future.