Trump’s First 100 Days: A Nation Reacts to a Presidency in Overdrive

When Donald Trump returned to the White House, he promised nothing short of transformational change. What few expected was the sheer velocity at which he would act. In just 100 days, Trump has issued 143 executive orders, unleashed a wave of tariffs on the US’s closest allies and taken an openly confrontational stance on foreign policy. The early days of his second term have been defined by aggressive rollbacks of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs and controversial pushes to reshape citizenship laws and deport millions, all moves that have sparked legal battles and deepened national rifts. Civil liberties groups, led by the ACLU, have already filed over 50 lawsuits challenging what they call a “lawless executive branch,” accusing Trump of weaponising executive orders to bypass constitutional checks and balances.

Public opinion reflects a nation both energised and anxious, split between supporters who see a president delivering in dramatic fashion and critics who fear long-lasting damage to America’s institutions, economy and civil rights.

Performance Ratings

In our latest poll it shows a nation deeply divided on Trump’s overall performance but the majority (43%) rate his first 100 days as poor. In fact, just 17% rate his first 100 days as excellent and 20% as good, while 16% call it fair.

Among Trump voters, confidence is sky-high: 34% call his performance excellent and another 35% rate it good. This strong approval reflects a base that sees Trump’s aggressive use of executive power and sweeping reforms as evidence he is, at last, “getting things done”.

By contrast, Harris voters are overwhelmingly disapproving: 79% rate his performance poor and only 3% see it as excellent. These figures highlight the deepening political fault lines, with most Democrats seeing the first 100 days as chaotic and overreaching.

Generational and gender gaps also stand out. Men are more likely than women to rate Trump’s performance positively (20% vs. 14% excellent) and older voters (65+) are more supportive (20% excellent) than younger ones (15% among 18–24s).

Policy Priorities: A Clear Mandate from His Base

Trump’s rapid policy rollout, from executive orders dismantling DEI initiatives to sweeping new tariffs has been met with enthusiasm among his supporters. Polls show 21% of Americans strongly support his policy priorities and 25% somewhat support them. But the flipside is clear: 49% oppose his priorities, with 36% strongly opposed.

For Trump’s 2024 voters, support is nearly universal: 82% support his priorities (41% strongly, 41% somewhat). This reflects broad approval of his focus on issues like immigration, government cuts and deregulation. However, for Harris voters, opposition is fierce: 71% strongly oppose his agenda, a sign that his aggressive moves like defunding agencies and deporting undocumented migrants are viewed as deeply antagonistic.

Economic Effectiveness

The economy was the centerpiece of Trump’s 2024 campaign but his early actions, especially dramatic new tariffs and budget slashing have drawn mixed reviews. 18% of Americans say he has been very effective on economic issues, 25% say somewhat effective, while 35% believe he has been not effective at all.

Trump’s voters are far more positive: 34% say he’s been very effective and 42% somewhat effective. Yet among Harris voters, 69% rate his economic performance as wholly ineffective.

This divergence is reflected in public reactions to the “Liberation Day” tariffs that rocked global markets. While some working-class voters, especially in manufacturing hubs believe Trump is reclaiming economic sovereignty, Wall Street and middle-class investors have felt the sting of market declines and rising interest rates. Even though Trump’s economic plans are aimed at revitalising American industry, short-term pain such as job losses, market shocks and rising mortgage rates has shaken confidence, most likely contributing to a noticeable dip in Trump’s economic approval ratings.

Campaign Promises

Whether Trump is delivering on his promises is another point of contention. 14% say he has completely fulfilled his campaign pledges, 22% say mostly, 24% say partially and 32% say not at all. Again, this reflects a loyal base versus a skeptical opposition: 61% of Trump’s voters say he has completely or mostly fulfilled his promises, while 58% of Harris voters believe he hasn’t fulfilled any.

This perception ties closely to Trump’s visible achievements, such as mass deportations, a relentless war on DEI programs and slashing government budgets, all of which signal to supporters that he is doing exactly what he pledged.

What Resonates: Immigration, National Security and the Chainsaw Approach

Asked what they most appreciate about Trump’s actions, the majority answered that “nothing stands out positively” with 35% indicating their dissatisfaction with the new administration.

However, 32% highlighted immigration policies, which is by far the most cited issue. Trump has taken an aggressive approach to immigration by deporting suspected gang members and ramping up enforcement across homes, businesses and universities. Again, this has stood out with Republican supporters (56%) more than Democrats (11%).

Another 12% mention economic policies like tax cuts and job creation. National security also features prominently, with 23% saying they most appreciate steps taken to bolster security at home and abroad.

A vivid symbol of these efforts is Elon Musk’s chainsaw-wielding performance at CPAC, celebrated by Trump’s base as a metaphor for cutting government waste. Musk’s high-profile effort to slash budgets and streamline bureaucracy has thrilled conservatives but worried centrists and progressives, who fear essential services are being gutted.

Skepticism Remains High

As noted, a significant 35% of Americans say nothing stands out positively about Trump’s first 100 days and 38% say no achievements are worth noting. This cynicism is particularly strong among Harris voters (66% say nothing stands out positively) but even among independents and non-voters, dissatisfaction lingers.

Donald Trump’s first 100 days have been a masterclass in executive action, with sweeping policies rolled out at lightning speed. Supporters hail him as a president who is finally delivering on bold promises, while critics see a leader testing and at times, breaching the limits of constitutional power.

Polling underscores this divide: Trump’s voters are overwhelmingly supportive, with 70% rating his performance as excellent or good and 82% backing his policies. Harris voters, by contrast, are nearly united in opposition, with 79% calling his performance poor and 71% opposing his agenda.

The next phase of Trump’s presidency will test whether these aggressive moves can translate into long-term success or whether the backlash, in the courts and at the ballot box, will undercut his ambitions. For now, his base remains loyal but the broader electorate remains wary, setting the stage for high-stakes battles ahead.

Download the data tables for this poll.