President Donald Trump’s approval ratings have dipped slightly in recent weeks as new polling reveals growing public skepticism about his administration’s focus on everyday economic concerns and controversial partnerships with tech billionaire Elon Musk. Three major national polls conducted in mid-February show Trump’s approval hovering between 44% and 47%, down 1-3 points from earlier surveys taken during his second-term inauguration period.
The CNN/SSRS poll released February 20 places Trump at 47% approval against 52% disapproval, while a Washington Post/Ipsos survey shows a steeper 45-53 split. This marks a reversal from January polls that showed Trump outperforming his first-term numbers, including a Quinnipiac University survey giving him a 46% approval rating shortly after his January 20 inauguration.
Border Security Wins Praise, Economic Anxiety Dominates
While 28% of Americans cite Trump’s border security measures as his “most significant action,” 62% say he hasn’t done enough to address rising consumer prices. The administration’s partnership with Musk – including proposed cryptocurrency-based tax reforms and aggressive federal workforce reductions – faces mounting criticism, with 54% calling Musk’s role “bad for governance”.
| Pollster | Approval | Disapproval | Dates |
|---|---|---|---|
| CNN/SSRS | 47% | 52% | Feb 13-17 |
| Washington Post/Ipsos | 45% | 53% | Feb 13-18 |
| Quinnipiac | 45% | 49% | Feb 13-17 |
Partisan Divide Reaches Record Levels
The polls reveal unprecedented polarization:
- 93% of Republicans approve vs 4% of Democrats (Gallup)
- Independent support drops to 41-43% across major surveys
- 58% oppose federal workforce layoffs (Washington Post)
Trump’s frenetic policy pace – including nearly 70 executive orders in three weeks – appears to energize his base while alienating moderates. Despite the dip, his numbers remain stronger than during his first term, when he never achieved sustained positive approval ratings.
