Donald Trump marks 100 days of second term | BBC News

Key Concepts:

• President Trump's approval rating
• Independent voters and "buyer's remorse"
• Impact of economic policies and inflation
• Immigration as a key issue
• Republican support
• Honeymoon period
• Democratic party dynamics

1. Trump's Approval Rating and Voter Sentiment:

• President Trump's approval rating has dropped to its lowest level, lower than any past president at this point in their term.
• A survey indicates that 39% of respondents approve of Trump's job performance, while 55% disapprove.
• The previous low approval rating for Trump was 42% in 2017.
• 72% of respondents believe Trump's economic policies are likely to cause a recession in the short term.
• 53% disapprove of Trump's handling of immigration.

2. Independent Voters and "Buyer's Remorse":

• John Zogby identifies "buyer's remorse" among independent voters as a key factor.
• Trump lost independent voters to Joe Biden in 2020.
• While Trump won independents in 2024, he is now 11 points "upside down" among them, indicating a significant loss of support.
• This loss of independent voters is impacting his popular vote numbers.

3. Economic Concerns and Inflation:

• Unhappiness with Trump's handling of the economy is a major driver of his declining approval rating.
• Despite the reduction in the growth of inflation, consumer confidence is at its lowest since the 1950s.

4. Immigration as a Two-Edged Sword:

• Immigration remains a signature issue for Trump, with more voters approving than disapproving of his actions.
• However, it is also a key issue generating opposition to him, second only to the economy.

5. Republican Support:

• Trump maintains strong support among those who identify as Republicans (88-89%).
• The decline in support is primarily among Republicans who now identify as independent or "Republican-leaning independent."

6. The End of the Honeymoon Period:

• The current period marks the end of Trump's "honeymoon period."
• Presidents typically mobilize public opinion and push through their agenda during this time.
• Zogby suggests that Trump has "squandered this opportunity."

7. Democratic Party Dynamics:

• Democrats have solid support among Democrats.
• They are performing better among independents than after Trump's victory.
• The "Bernie Sanders/AOC" progressive wing of the Democratic party is emerging as dominant.
• There are concerns that this progressive dominance could alienate more moderate voters.

8. Notable Quotes:

• John Zogby: "buyer's remorse" (referring to independent voters' sentiment).

9. Synthesis/Conclusion:

President Trump's approval rating is at a low point, driven by concerns about the economy and his handling of immigration. A key factor is the loss of support among independent voters, who are experiencing "buyer's remorse." While Trump maintains strong support among Republicans, the decline in support from Republican-leaning independents is significant. The end of the honeymoon period has exposed these weaknesses, and the rise of the progressive wing within the Democratic party presents both opportunities and challenges for the opposition.