From Gen Z's Turnout to Republican Supporters' Disillusionment

TEHRAN (Defapress) - According to a poll published this week, American citizens, particularly supporters of the Republican Party, have lost trust in the country's president on a range of key issues, often describing Donald Trump's second term as "terrifying."

A survey by the Associated Press (AP), released on Saturday, found that only 24% of Americans believe Donald Trump, as president, has chosen the right priorities. More than half of voters disapprove of Trump's performance as president and oppose his tariff policies and reductions in the federal workforce.

Trump will mark the 100th day of his second term next week. Recent poll results indicate that Americans are going through a tough experience following a sharp decline in global markets and mass layoffs in government jobs.

Erosion Among Republicans

46% of Republicans say Trump is not focused on the "right priorities," and only 9% of independent voters believe the president has correctly identified America's priorities. According to the AP poll, just 39% of Americans approve of Trump's governance as president, and only 40% of U.S. citizens support his foreign policy approach.

Meanwhile, a New York Times poll of American voters on Friday showed Trump's approval rating dropping to 42%, with only 29% support among independent voters. More than half of voters believe Trump has overstepped his legal authority, and 59% of respondents describe his second term as "scary."

While Republican presidents typically receive strong public approval on economic issues, Americans have so far been disappointed by Trump's performance. The Times poll found that only 43% of voters approve of Trump's economic management—this despite a New York Times poll in April 2024 showing 64% satisfaction with the economy during Trump's first term.

At the same time, half of voters oppose Trump's trade war, and 61% say the president should not have the authority to impose tariffs without congressional approval. According to the poll, 63%—including 40% of Republicans—say the president should not be able to deport legal immigrants who have protested against Israel.

Rising Discontent Among Younger Generations

A Washington Post poll on Friday showed that 53% of Americans disapprove of the president's handling of immigration, while 46% approve. Notably, in February, public opinion was the opposite, with more than half of poll participants approving of Trump's approach. The Washington Post reported that currently, 90% of Democrats, 56% of independents, and 11% of Republicans disapprove of Trump's treatment of immigrants.

The AP poll on Thursday revealed that nearly half of U.S. adults say Trump's trade policies have significantly increased inflation and express concern about a severe economic downturn in the coming months.

Additionally, a poll conducted by Fox News, which is controlled by Trump supporters, shows that only 38% of Americans are satisfied with Trump's economic performance, while 56% oppose him. According to this poll, only three out of ten Americans support Trump's economic policies.

An NBC poll of those born between 1995 and 2012 (Generation Z) found that 69% oppose the U.S. president's economic policies. Moreover, over 90% of young Americans believe foreign students with visas or green cards should have legal protections similar to U.S. citizens—while the Trump administration is currently cracking down on pro-Palestinian students.