In a stark assessment of the current political climate, a majority of Americans hold a historically negative view of President Donald Trump's second term in office, according to a recent analysis of polling data.
Unprecedented Disapproval for a Second-Term President
CNN's chief data analyst, Harry Enten, presented the findings on Friday, spelling out a blunt verdict. Fifty-eight percent of respondents in the poll indicated that Trump's second term, approximately one year after his return to the Oval Office, has been a "failure." Enten emphasized the severity of this figure by comparing it to historical data.
"It's just a big F-A-I-L," Enten stated, highlighting the unique challenge of evaluating a president serving two non-consecutive terms. Despite this complexity, the numbers are clear. Trump's 58% failure rating is "even worse" than that of George W. Bush at a similar point in his second term, who stood at 52% disapproval. That period for Bush was marked by significant national challenges, including the ongoing Iraq War and intense criticism of the federal response to Hurricane Katrina.
How Trump's Numbers Compare Historically
Enten further clarified that Trump's current ratings are the most negative for "any other president" in the history of CNN or Pew Research Center polling on this specific question. The analysis suggests a deep and persistent skepticism from the American public about the direction of the administration.
The data guru also pointed to a shift in public expectations for the long-term impact of this presidency. A separate CNN/SSRS poll found that 41% of people believe Trump's second term will result in "fundamental changes to the U.S. that will remain long after his presidency." While a significant portion of the electorate anticipates a lasting legacy, this figure represents a notable decline. It has dropped by double digits since April 2025, when 52% predicted such fundamental changes from Trump's second term.
Implications for the Political Landscape
This polling data paints a picture of a presidency struggling to gain broad public approval midway through its term. The high "failure" rating, coupled with declining expectations for transformative, lasting change, indicates significant headwinds for the administration. For political observers, these numbers will serve as a critical benchmark for the national mood as the country moves closer to the next electoral cycle.
The analysis underscores a challenging political environment where historical comparisons offer little comfort for the current occupant of the White House. As Enten's breakdown shows, public opinion at this juncture is more sour toward Trump's second term than it has been for any of his modern predecessors.
