Trump’s Approval Ratings Dip Below Biden’s in Early Presidency

Just over a month into his presidency, Donald Trump is grappling with a frosty reception from the American public. Recent polls conducted by Reuters/Ipsos and the Washington Post/Ipsos reveal that Trump’s approval rating stands between 44% and 45%, with disapproval ratings climbing as high as 51% to 53%. These figures, recorded as of February 27, 2025, illustrate a deeply divided nation, where the returning president has yet to secure a majority support base. In contrast, his predecessor, Joe Biden, enjoyed a much more favorable public perception during the same time frame in 2021.

In late February 2021, Biden, newly inaugurated, boasted an approval rating of 56% and a disapproval rate of roughly 40%, according to a Gallup poll. FiveThirtyEight’s average for that period mirrored this trend, showing a 54.8% approval rate and a disapproval rate of just 36.9%, resulting in a net gain of 18%. The disparity between Biden’s early numbers and Trump’s current ratings is stark; Biden enjoyed 10-12% more support and 11-13% fewer criticisms. While Biden’s initial month was characterized by optimism for a post-pandemic recovery, Trump’s return to the White House has been marked by growing skepticism and criticism.

Trump’s current approval ratings reflect the challenges faced by his new administration. Since taking office, he has implemented aggressive tariffs against the European Union, canceled an oil deal with Venezuela, and intensified his anti-immigration rhetoric. These actions have ignited a wave of reactions: supporters hail them as a reaffirmation of the “America First” policy, while critics accuse the president of fostering economic instability and isolationism. The recent $500 billion stock market crash on February 26, attributed to his tariff announcements, has only exacerbated the prevailing distrust in his leadership. According to Politico, a 53% disapproval rating marks the lowest start to a presidency in Trump’s political career, surpassing his first term when he had an approval rating of 46% in February 2017.

Historical context further highlights the challenges Trump faces. In 2017, he began his presidency with a 46% approval rating (Gallup), but this figure plummeted to 36% by the end of his first year. In contrast, Biden maintained an approval rating above 50% throughout 2021 until inflation and other crises began to erode his popularity. Today, despite Trump’s experience and assertive rhetoric, he finds himself in a more precarious position than the newcomer Biden did four years ago.