President Trump Starts Second Term with Positive Approval Rating in CBS Poll
A new CBS News/YouGov poll shows President Donald Trump beginning his second term with a 53% approval rating, marking his highest approval rating to date. This poll, conducted from February 5-7, 2025, indicates a significant improvement from Trump’s initial approval ratings during his first term.
Key Findings
53% of Americans approve of Trump’s job performance
47% disapprove
70% say Trump is “doing what he promised” during the campaign
63% view Trump as “energetic”
69% describe Trump as “tough”
Comparison to First Term
Trump’s current approval rating represents a notable increase from his first term:
His initial approval rating in 2017 was 45%
Trump averaged 41% approval during his first term
He left office in January 2021 with a 34% approval rating
Partisan Divide Remains
Despite the overall improvement, Trump’s approval ratings continue to show a stark partisan divide:
91% of Republicans approve
6% of Democrats approve
46% of independents approve
This 85-point gap between Republican and Democratic approval is similar to the average 81-point gap throughout his first term.
Context and Analysis
Anthony Salvanto, CBS News director of elections and surveys, attributes Trump’s improved ratings to public perception that he is fulfilling campaign promises. This aligns with the 70% of respondents who say Trump is doing what he promised, regardless of whether they approve of him or not.
However, it’s important to note that Trump’s approval rating, while improved, still falls below the historical average for presidents at this point in their terms. According to Gallup, the average initial approval rating for elected presidents since Eisenhower (excluding Trump) is 61%.
Other Perspectives
While the CBS poll shows a positive trend for Trump, other polls present a more mixed picture:
A Gallup poll from late January showed Trump with a 47% approval rating, which they described as “historically low”
The RealClearPolitics polling average as of January 29 had Trump at 49.8% approval and 44.8% disapproval
Potential Impact
Trump’s improved approval rating could have several implications:
1. Legislative agenda: Higher approval ratings may give Trump more leverage in pushing his policy agenda through Congress.
2. 2026 midterms: If sustained, this approval rating could benefit Republican candidates in the upcoming midterm elections.
3. International relations: Stronger domestic approval may strengthen Trump’s position in international negotiations.
However, political analysts note that presidential approval ratings often decline over time, and Trump’s ratings have historically been more stable and polarized than those of previous presidents.
Conclusion
While President Trump’s 53% approval rating marks a personal best and shows improvement from his first term, it remains lower than the historical average for presidents at this point in their terms. The stark partisan divide in his approval ratings continues to be a defining feature of his presidency. As with all polling data, it’s important to consider multiple sources and track trends over time to get a comprehensive picture of public opinion.
