How popular is Trump policy?
Critical Analysis
Based on the visual above, how many Americans either strongly or somewhat disapprove of Trump tariff policy?
Based on the visual above, approximately what portion of Americans have no opinion on the budget and tax law (Big Beautiful Bill) that Congress just passed and Trump signed into law?
Describe your opinion about Trump tariff policy and about the budget and tax law known as the Big Beautiful Bill.
Net approval is calculated by subtracting the percentage of respondents who disapprove of someone from the percentage of those who approve. This provides a single number that indicates the overall sentiment, with positive values indicating more approval than disapproval, and negative values indicating more disapproval. Right now President Trump’s current net approval rating is negative 8.3. Based on the visual below* describe American public opinion about whether Trump is making the government better or worse.
During the first hundred days of his presidency, Donald J. Trump signed a total of 142 executive orders, but signed only five bills into law — fewer than any president in the first 100 days of an administration since at least Dwight D. Eisenhower in the 1950s. By this time during his first term, Trump had signed 30 bills into law. In their first 100 days, Barack Obama had enacted 14 bills and Joe Biden had signed 11. But during his first hundred Days, Trump signed . How do you think Trump’s low approval rating (net approval rating is negative 8.3) and public opinion of his policy (see below*) impacted his use of executive orders instead of legislation?
North Carolina (best state ever!) U.S. Senator Thom Tillis decided not to run for reelection in part because of the unpopularity of the Big Beautiful Bill. Make a claim about how Trump’s unpopularity will impact next year’s midterm elections?
Trump’s Tariff policy has a net popularity of -23, how does that compare to all the other major executive actions and bills signed by presidents since 1990 as shown in the visual below*?
Joe Biden began his presidency by passing a massively popular economic stimulus and covid-19 relief bill. Next came an ambitious infrastructure-spending bill, which the public also favored. Meanwhile, the Biden presidency was very unpopular and had he run, he likely would have lost the 2024 election. Make a claim explaining the disconnect between Biden’s policy popularity and his approval rating.
Recent political science research finds little connection between policy and voting. In fact, partisan identity (what party someone is in) is a much more significant factor in shaping voting behavior. Explain whether you think that the Big Beautiful Bill would have become law if people voted based on policy?
As shown in the visual below* when The Affordable Care Act (Obamacare) was passed in 2009 it was underwater (more people disapproved than approved of it) when it was first passed in 2009. But over time Obamacare has become more popular (its net popularity is +33). Many of the biggest cuts in medicaid spending and government programs that were part of the Big Beautiful Bill don’t even take effect until after the 2026 midterm elections. Over time, what do you predict will happen to the popularity of Trump’s current policies?
Write and Discuss
Take ten minutes to write about the question at the top of the page and then discuss with your classmates.
Act on your Learning
Contact your member of the U.S. House of Representatives or U.S. Senators and let them know if they will have your support in the 2026 midterm election.
Get Creative
Try to think of a policy that would be more unpopular than Donald Trump’s tariffs and share it with your classmates.
