On January 20, Donald Trump began his second term as President of the United States, declaring that he would deliver “the most extraordinary first 100 days of any presidency in American history.” For decades, the 100-day benchmark has served as a symbolic moment to evaluate a new administration’s achievements. The early data from Trump’s second term offers insight into the progress he has made on his key promises—ranging from imposing global tariffs and arresting migrants to making deep cuts to federal spending.
One of the most telling indicators of a president’s early performance is the public’s approval rating. Gallup, the U.S. polling firm that has long tracked presidential approval at the 100-day mark, shows Trump faring poorly compared to his predecessors. Trump, now the first post-war president to serve two non-consecutive terms, has seen low ratings in both his presidencies. Historically, presidents such as John F. Kennedy and Ronald Reagan enjoyed strong support with 83% and 67% approval ratings, respectively. Joe Biden and Bill Clinton were also above 50%. In contrast, both of Trump’s terms saw him with under 50% approval at this milestone, making him the only post-war president with this distinction.
However, looking at approval through a partisan lens tells a more complex story. Trump’s second term shows the most extreme polarization to date, with 90% of Republicans supporting him and just 4% of Democrats. This 86-point gap marks the largest partisan split ever recorded at the 100-day point. “The longer the line, the more polarised the support,” Gallup’s polling analysis notes.
The most recent Gallup poll, conducted from April 1–14 during a time of market volatility triggered by Trump’s tariff announcements, recorded his approval at 44%. This figure, drawn from over 1,000 interviews, reflects stable ratings consistent with the first quarter of his term.
Throughout his campaign, Trump promised swift action on top issues. He said he would lower prices, end the war in Ukraine, and pardon individuals tied to the January 6 Capitol attack. While not all promises have been fulfilled, Trump has been extremely active in terms of executive action. He has issued more executive orders in 100 days than any president in the last 100 years. In fact, he has already signed more than half the number of orders from his entire first term and nearly 90% of the total executive orders Joe Biden issued in four years.
Some of these executive orders have been high-impact. On his first day, Trump announced that the U.S. would withdraw from the UN’s Paris Climate Agreement, calling it an unfair burden on Americans. He also declared a national energy emergency to boost domestic oil production. Other actions have been less weighty but symbolic, such as lifting the ban on plastic straws.
Despite this flurry of executive activity, Trump has not shown much interest in working with Congress. He has signed only five bills into law in his first 100 days—a lower number than any new president in 70 years, according to Punchbowl News. His aggressive use of executive authority has also sparked legal backlash. Over 200 of his orders have been challenged in court, and judges have blocked several of them, as reported by the legal publication Just Security.
Economically, Trump’s platform centered on lowering prices and creating jobs. His pro-business rhetoric was initially welcomed by Wall Street, reflected in a spike in S&P 500 stock prices following his election. But as Trump escalated his threats of tariffs, investor confidence waned. The markets dipped sharply on April 2 when Trump imposed sweeping global tariffs. Though he softened some tariffs a week later, global markets remained jittery, and his trade policies were blamed for economic disruptions.
Consumer confidence has also declined. The University of Michigan’s Consumer Sentiment Index, a long-running measure of public economic outlook, dropped for four straight months. April’s score was the second-lowest on record. The lowest came in June 2022 during Biden’s presidency, amid inflation concerns following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. In April 2025, Americans voiced worries about an impending trade war, reporting deteriorating expectations for inflation, income, and personal finances. Trump hasn’t ruled out a recession but remains confident in the long-term benefits of his policies.
Inflation trends remain uncertain, but the U.S. Federal Reserve has warned that Trump’s tariff strategy could drive prices upward again. On trade, Trump argues that global tariffs will help bring jobs and manufacturing back to the U.S. while reducing the trade deficit. He criticizes America’s long-standing trade imbalance as a sign of other countries “ripping off” the U.S., frequently citing China.
According to data from the U.S. Census Bureau and the Bureau of Economic Analysis, America continued to import more goods and services than it exported through 2024. After Trump’s re-election in November 2024, importers rushed to bring in products before tariffs could take effect. By January 2025, imports hit a record high of $329 billion—the highest monthly total since records began in 1992. Although Trump paused many of his harshest tariffs in early April, reports suggest Americans have been stockpiling goods, fearing price hikes. Tariffs on Chinese imports remain, but Trump has signaled he is open to reducing them if a deal can be made.
On immigration, Trump returned to the presidency vowing large-scale deportations and an end to birthright citizenship. Although he has faced legal blocks on birthright citizenship, one area where he claims success is at the southern border. In March 2025, just over 7,000 arrests were made at the U.S.-Mexico border—down significantly from the 137,000 arrests in March 2024 during Biden’s presidency.
While the number of deportations remains lower than promised and legal challenges persist, Trump points to rising internal detentions and strong cooperation with local law enforcement as evidence of success. ICE raids have increased, with many targeting individuals with criminal records. Trump’s team is also promoting what it calls “unprecedented” collaboration with police departments across the country.
However, with detention facilities nearing capacity, experts warn of potential overcrowding issues. The future of Trump’s immigration policies—and their legality—will likely be shaped by court rulings in the coming months.
Looking ahead, Trump’s broader agenda depends heavily on what unfolds in the next 100 days. Public perception of his actions on the border, trade decisions, and economic outcomes such as food prices will help determine whether Trump maintains his reputation as the most polarizing president in modern history.