Trump’s Enduring Support and Vance’s Growing Profile: A Nation Divided

A month into his second term and Donald Trump’s approval ratings remain remarkably stable despite a presidency filled with controversy and sweeping policy changes. Republican voters’ support for him has strengthened, while Democrats have become even more hostile, reinforcing his status as the most polarising president in modern U.S. history. Meanwhile, Vice President J.D. Vance is gaining recognition but his approval remains lower than Trump’s, indicating he has yet to solidify his role as a leading national figure.

Trump’s Approval: Strong Among Republicans, Deeply Divisive Nationwide

Trump’s approval ratings have held firm, with 49% of Americans approving of his job performance, up from 47% in the previous poll. However, disapproval has also risen to 46%, up from 41%, underscoring the widening divide between his supporters and detractors.

Among Republicans, Trump’s support is unwavering, with 90% approving, including 61% who strongly approve. This aligns with earlier polling, where 85% of Republicans viewed him favourably, confirming his continued dominance over the party.

Democratic opposition to Trump has intensified, with 75% now strongly disapproving, compared to 66% in previous polling. This highlights Trump’s struggle to win over voters outside his core base, particularly among left-leaning Americans and independents. His administration’s latest foreign policy decisions, including holding peace talks with Russia without Ukraine’s participation and calling President Volodymyr Zelensky a “dictator,” have only deepened these divides. His comments have drawn international criticism, particularly from European allies such as Germany, further straining transatlantic relations.

Demographic Divides in Trump’s Popularity

The gender divide in Trump’s approval ratings remains pronounced, with 56% of men approving of Trump compared to 42% of women. Notably, male approval has increased from 51% in the previous poll, indicating a slight shift in favour of Trump’s leadership.

Age demographics also follow familiar trends. Younger voters (18-24) remain the most critical, with 38% strongly disapproving, a sharp increase from 26% previously. Older voters (65+) continue to disapprove strongly (45%), while support among middle-aged voters (35-54) has slightly risen, climbing from 29-30% to 30-35%.

Trump’s ability to maintain near-unanimous support among Republicans ensures his approval ratings remain stable. However, increasing disapproval among Democrats and independents suggests that his leadership style continues to energize his base while further alienating his opposition.

J.D. Vance Approval: Lagging Behind Trump

Vice President J.D. Vance is becoming more well-known but his approval ratings indicate he has yet to fully secure strong national support. In the latest poll, 44% of Americans approve of his performance, up from 41% previously. However, his disapproval has also climbed to 43% from 37%, suggesting that as more Americans form an opinion on Vance, he is becoming a more polarising figure.

Among Republicans, Vance enjoys strong support, with 52% strongly approving and 29% somewhat approving, giving him an 81% approval rating within his party, comparable to Trump. However, Democratic disapproval has surged, with 66% now strongly disapproving, compared to 55% previously.

Top Issues: Economy, Healthcare and Immigration Dominate Voter Concerns

As Trump’s administration moves forward, economic challenges and border security remain the top priorities for American voters. While the economy continues to dominate concerns, its importance has slightly decreased from 68% to 65%, while concern for immigration has also declined slightly from 35% to 32%. Meanwhile, healthcare remains the second-highest concern, with 39% of voters prioritizing it, matching the results from the previous poll.

Economic concerns cut across all demographics, with men (66%) and women (64%) expressing nearly equal levels of concern, showing broad consensus. Older voters (45-55: 69%, 65+: 70%) are the most worried about the economy, likely due to anxieties around retirement and healthcare costs, while younger voters (18-24: 59%) place greater emphasis on social issues such as abortion and climate change. Among political groups, Trump voters (69%) remain the most focused on economic issues, whereas Kamala Harris voters (62%) are slightly less concerned but still list it as their top priority.

Immigration: A Key Concern for Conservatives

Immigration remains a key concern, particularly among conservatives, with 50% of Trump voters ranking it as a top issue, slightly down from 54% in the previous poll. Men (34%) are more likely than women (30%) to prioritize immigration, while older voters (65+: 45%) see it as a major issue compared to just 28% of younger voters (18-24).

Trump’s hardline stance on border security and deportations continues to resonate strongly with his base, especially as his administration enacts aggressive new executive orders to curb illegal crossings. However, with only 19% of undecided voters listing immigration as a key issue, the administration may struggle to use this policy as a unifying message beyond its core supporters.

Donald Trump’s approval remains steady, buoyed by overwhelming Republican support but deepening national division. His foreign policy, particularly toward Ukraine and aggressive government cuts have solidified his base while intensifying Democratic opposition. Vice President J.D. Vance is gaining recognition but his growing disapproval suggests he has yet to establish broad appeal.

Economic concerns, healthcare and immigration continue to dominate public priorities, with inflation being the most pressing issue across all demographics. While Trump’s policies resonate with conservatives, their effectiveness in addressing economic anxieties will determine whether his administration can expand its support or remain confined to an increasingly polarised electorate.

Download the data tables for this poll.