A recent Pew Research Center survey reveals that Americans are deeply divided on the potential impact of Donald Trump’s second term in the White House. Conducted from January 27 to February 2, the poll of over 5,000 U.S. adults finds that 41% believe Trump’s administration will improve the federal government, while 42% expect it to worsen operations.
The survey also shows mixed reactions to Trump’s early executive actions. About 28% of respondents say his actions have exceeded their expectations, but 35% feel they have been worse than anticipated. Another 36% say the president’s actions have been in line with their expectations.
Partisan divisions remain as pronounced as ever. Among Republicans and GOP-leaning independents, 76% believe Trump will improve the government, while 78% of Democrats predict he will make it worse. Additionally, 84% of Republicans approve of Trump’s job performance so far, compared to just 10% of Democrats.
The survey finds that Trump’s overall approval rating stands at 47%, a figure higher than at any point during his first term. However, it remains lower than the early-term ratings of other recent presidents, including Joe Biden and Barack Obama.
Assessments of Trump’s leadership qualities also reveal a stark divide. While 40% of respondents express high confidence in his leadership skills, only 29% are confident he acts ethically. Similarly, 31% trust him to respect democratic values.
Expectations for Trump’s long-term success are evenly split. Roughly 35% of Americans believe he will ultimately be a successful president, while 33% expect him to fail. About 31% say it is too early to tell.
Meanwhile, Vice President JD Vance is viewed as qualified for the presidency by 47% of respondents, but 49% say he is not.
As Trump’s administration moves forward, Americans remain polarized over both his policies and his impact on governance, underscoring the nation’s entrenched partisan divide.
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