AP Poll: Only Half of GOP Confident in Trump’s Focus During 2nd Term/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ A new AP-NORC poll finds that only about half of Republicans believe President Trump is prioritizing the right issues in his second term. Public disapproval of his focus remains widespread, even as he retains solid support among his party’s base. Key concerns include foreign policy, trade, and immigration.
Trump Second-Term Poll Quick Looks
- About 50% of Republicans say Trump is focusing on the right priorities.
- 4 in 10 Americans call Trump’s second term “terrible.”
- Immigration remains Trump’s strongest approval area, foreign policy lags.
- Democrats overwhelmingly disapprove of Trump’s agenda and approach.
- Republican approval has dipped slightly since January.
- Trump’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) earns GOP praise.
- Elon Musk’s role as government efficiency adviser receives positive feedback.
- Public sentiment signals growing concerns over tariffs and deportations.
AP Poll: Only Half of GOP Confident in Trump’s Focus During 2nd Term
Deep Look
AP-NORC Poll: Only Half of Republicans Confident in Trump’s Focus During Second Term
WASHINGTON — As President Donald Trump pushes forward with an aggressive second-term agenda, a new AP-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research poll shows a nation deeply divided — and even some cracks appearing within Trump’s Republican support.
Americans overall are nearly twice as likely to say that Trump has been focusing on the wrong priorities compared to those who believe he’s on the right track. About 4 in 10 say Trump’s presidency so far has been “terrible,” while fewer than 1 in 3 call it “great” or “good.”
Even among Republicans, support is complicated. While roughly 7 in 10 Republicans view Trump’s presidency positively, only about half say he has concentrated on the right priorities. Another quarter believe his focus has been a mix of right and wrong, while around 10% say he has focused on the wrong issues altogether.
Expectations vs Reality
For most Americans, Trump’s tumultuous first 100 days of his second term have not come as a surprise. About 7 in 10 say his actions are mostly what they expected. However, Democrats are more disillusioned than before: three-quarters now say Trump is pursuing the wrong priorities, an increase from early January projections.
Rahsaan Henderson, a Democrat from California, described Trump’s first months as exhausting: “It’s been one of the longest 100 days I’ve ever had to sit through.”
“I think the next four years will be a test of who can resist the most,” Henderson said, noting Trump’s defiance of institutions like the Supreme Court.
Republicans, while still broadly supportive, show nuanced views. Tanner Bergstrom, a 29-year-old Republican from Minnesota, praised Trump for acting on promises: “Even if it’s some stuff I don’t agree with, at least he’s doing what he said.”
Still, enthusiasm has cooled slightly. Since January, Republican approval of Trump’s presidency has dropped about 10 points, and more Republicans acknowledge that some aspects of his presidency have been “poor” or “terrible.”
Policy Strengths and Weaknesses
Immigration remains Trump’s strongest issue, with 46% approval among U.S. adults — a figure slightly higher than his overall job approval. However, his handling of trade, foreign policy, and the broader economy garners lower marks, with about 4 in 10 expressing approval.
Republican Stephanie Melnyk of Tennessee, for example, supports Trump’s domestic policies but criticizes his foreign approach, especially concerning Ukraine.
“He’s trying for a quick fix that’s not going to last,” said Melnyk, whose family emigrated from Ukraine. She added that Trump’s rhetoric can be “condescending” and urges him to adopt a more disciplined tone.
While Trump’s immigration policies remain popular among Republicans, Democrats overwhelmingly believe he has gone “too far” on deportations and tariffs, with many anticipating economic and social fallout.
GOP Praise for Government Efficiency Moves
A significant point of pride among Republicans has been Trump’s creation of the Department of Government Efficiency, or DOGE, led by billionaire adviser Elon Musk. GOP voters have praised the initiative’s efforts to slash federal spending and bureaucracy.
Matthew Spencer, a 30-year-old Republican from Texas, said DOGE has “made great strides in reducing our spending” and applauded Trump’s America First trade policies despite potential short-term economic pain.
Carlos Guevara, a 46-year-old Florida Republican, called DOGE a “smash hit,” particularly lauding its emphasis on encouraging domestic manufacturing.
“It may hurt now, but it’s an investment that’ll pay off in the long run,” Guevara said.
Democrats’ Grim Outlook
For Democrats, Trump’s second term has only deepened pessimism about the country’s direction. Gabriel Antonucci, a 26-year-old Democrat from South Carolina, said Trump’s leadership feels even more chaotic than anticipated.
“It really seems like he is doing everything he can to make the wrong decisions,” Antonucci said. “Things are probably going to be worse in four years than they are right now.”
As the 2026 midterm elections loom, the poll results highlight a nation entrenched in political division — and suggest that while Trump’s core support remains loyal, skepticism about his leadership continues to grow both inside and outside the GOP.
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