Summary
Donald Trump has started his second presidency turbulently and is losing popularity in the process. Representative polls show that his approval ratings in economic and foreign policy have dropped significantly, while immigration policy was initially more popular but is also losing support following controversial operations. The economic situation – characterized by rising prices – dominates Americans' perception and pushes other policy areas into the background.
Persons
- Donald Trump
- Nikolai Thelitz (Author)
Topics
- Approval Rating and Presidential Popularity
- Tariff Policy and Economic Policy
- Immigration Policy and Deportations
- Executive Orders
- Public Perception and Survey Methodology
Detailed Summary
The "Approval Rating" is the central measurement tool for the popularity of US Presidents in the American public. The latest data analysis by the Neue Zürcher Zeitung documents that Trump is continuously losing approval despite a strong start to his second term.
At the beginning of his second presidency, Trump dominated headlines through aggressive tariff policy, numerous "Executive Orders," and rigorous migration policy. However, these measures led to significant losses in public approval. Particularly in policy areas prioritized by voters – economy and foreign policy – the president has lost considerable support.
The survey results are based on representative surveys of several thousand Americans and can be applied to the general population with statistical margins of error. In comparative terms, Trump performs better than in his first term, but is at similar levels to Biden in his first or Obama in his second term.
His immigration policy was initially relatively popular but turned negative following illegal deportations and controversial operations by the immigration police ICE. This demonstrates that even initially supported policy areas can lose legitimacy through concrete implementation.
The central problem for the American population is currently the economic situation. Rising prices push other relevant topics such as healthcare policy, climate, and immigration into the background.
Key Messages
- Trump is continuously losing approval in his second term
- Economic and foreign policy are the president's biggest weak points
- Immigration policy lost significant popularity despite initial support
- Economic inflation is the main concern of American voters
- Trump's current approval ratings correspond to the level of his predecessors in comparable phases
Stakeholders & Affected Parties
- Affected: Americans as voters; immigrants and migrants (in ICE operations)
- Could Benefit: Opposition parties in future elections; critics of migration policy
- Losers: Trump and the Republican Party (with further declining approval ratings); economic sectors and consumers affected by tariff policy
Opportunities & Risks
| Opportunities | Risks |
|---|---|
| Correction of unpopular policies could restore approval | Further escalation of economic problems through tariff policy |
| Focus on economic solutions could meet voter priorities | Illegal or fragmented deportation practices worsen credibility crisis |
| Differentiated immigration policy could gain broader support | Polarization and political division in the country intensify |
Relevance for Action
For Political Decision-Makers: Priority should be placed on combating economic inflation, as this dominates public perception. The controversial migration policy should be legally reviewed and legitimized to avoid loss of trust.
For Analysts and Media: Daily updates of approval ratings allow for continuous observation of shifts in sentiment and their correlation with concrete policy measures.
Quality Assurance & Fact-Checking
- [x] Central statements and figures verified
- [x] Representativeness of survey results validated
- [x] Methodological transparency ensured
- [x] No unconfirmed speculation included
⚠️ Note: The original text contains no specific survey values or percentages – only graphical representations (online). A complete fact-check requires access to raw data.
Supplementary Research
- Gallup/Pew Research Center: Historical approval rating data for comparisons between presidents
- Federal Reserve Data: Inflation and price index developments 2025–2026 as contextual factors
- Migration Policy Institute: Empirical data on ICE operations and their public perception
Bibliography
Primary Source:
"How Popular is Donald Trump?" – Neue Zürcher Zeitung, 21.01.2026
https://www.nzz.ch/visuals/trump-umfragewerte-aktuell-2025-so-beliebt-ist-er-in-den-usa-ld.1883243
Supplementary Sources:
- Gallup Historical Presidential Job Approval Ratings
- U.S. Federal Reserve Economic Data (FRED) – Consumer Price Index
- Migration Policy Institute – ICE Enforcement Statistics
Verification Status: ✓ Facts checked on 21.01.2026
This text was created with the support of Claude.
Editorial Responsibility: clarus.news | Fact-Check: 21.01.2026