A Divisive Start to a Second Term
President Donald Trump’s first 100 days of his second term, beginning January 20, 2025, have been marked by aggressive executive action, controversial immigration enforcement, economic turbulence, and a sharply polarized electorate. In a landscape shaped by deepening partisanship and global instability, Trump’s early tenure offers a sharp contrast not only to President Joe Biden’s first 100 days in 2021 but also to traditional presidential norms.
According to a new ABC News/Washington Post/Ipsos poll, Trump holds the lowest 100-day job approval rating of any president in the past 80 years, with widespread public pushback on his policies and extensive economic discontent, including broad fears of a recession. His approval rating stands at 41%, with 58% disapproving, according to the Associated Press/NORC poll (April 2025), marking a significant decline from 47% in January.
Similarly, a New York Times/Siena College poll shows 54% disapproval, with particularly low support among independent voters (only 37% approval). These figures place Trump’s 2025 100-day ratings among the worst recorded in modern American history.
Economically, Trump’s sweeping tariffs contributed to a 15% drop in the S&P 500, prompting the International Monetary Fund (IMF) to lower its global growth forecast to 2.8%, reflecting mounting concerns about recession risks.
By contrast, President Joe Biden’s first 100 days in 2021 were met with relatively strong public approval. According to FiveThirtyEight’s Biden approval tracker, Biden averaged a 53.8% approval rating by his 100th day, buoyed by successful pandemic response efforts and the passage of the American Rescue Plan.
Executive Actions and Policy Priorities
Trump (2025):
Trump signed over 300 executive actions, including 124 executive orders, focusing predominantly on immigration, deregulation, and trade. His administration’s stringent border policies reportedly resulted in a 94% drop in illegal crossings, but at the cost of over 100 lawsuits challenging the legality of mass deportations and visa cancellations.
Meanwhile, Trump announced $1.1 trillion in domestic investments, including $500 billion for AI development, $100 billion for semiconductor manufacturing, and $27 billion for boosting U.S. industrial production.
Biden (2021):
In contrast, Biden issued 42 executive orders early in his term, largely aimed at reversing Trump-era policies and stabilizing the country amid the COVID-19 pandemic. Key achievements included rejoining the Paris Climate Accord, halting border wall construction, and signing the $1.9 trillion American Rescue Plan. Biden emphasized public health efforts, delivering 200 million vaccine doses by April 21, 2021.
Comparison:
Trump’s volume of executive actions dwarfed Biden’s, reflecting a sweeping, disruptive approach to governance. However, Biden’s more focused actions yielded quicker public health and economic results, whereas Trump’s aggressive immigration and trade policies generated widespread legal and economic challenges.
Economic and Domestic Impact
Trump (2025):
Despite major investment announcements, Trump’s economic management faces significant public skepticism. The AP/NORC April 2025 poll found that 59% of Americans disapprove of his handling of the economy, while 71% express fears of a recession. Tariffs and trade tensions have contributed heavily to market volatility.
Biden (2021):
Biden inherited a fragile economy but quickly moved to stabilize it. By April 2021, the U.S. economy had added 1.38 million jobs, the strongest early job growth of any modern presidency. Biden’s approval on economic management remained relatively strong, hovering around 53%, buoyed by stimulus measures and pandemic recovery programs.
Comparison:
While Biden’s economic strategy emphasized stabilization and recovery, Trump’s 2025 approach has generated market anxiety despite ambitious industrial investment goals.
Legal Battles and Governance
Trump (2025):
Within his first 100 days, Trump’s administration faced over 100 lawsuits, primarily challenging his immigration crackdowns and sweeping tariff measures. These legal challenges highlight the contentious and high-risk nature of Trump’s executive governance.
Biden (2021):
Biden’s executive actions—focused on pandemic recovery, immigration reform, and international diplomacy—faced relatively few legal battles compared to his predecessor.
Comparison:
Trump’s confrontational style has once again invited significant legal scrutiny, whereas Biden’s first 100 days focused on stabilization efforts with limited judicial opposition.
Public Approval and Sentiment
Trump (2025):
Public sentiment around Trump’s second term is largely negative. The New York Times/Siena College poll shows that only 37% of independents approve of his performance. Partisan loyalty remains strong among Republicans (88% approval), but broader public discontent continues to rise.
Biden (2021):
Biden’s early tenure was marked by a broad desire for competence and unity following the divisive 2020 election and the January 6 Capitol riot. According to AP/NORC polling, 65% of Americans approved of Biden’s handling of the COVID-19 pandemic within the first 100 days.
Comparison:
While Biden’s broader appeal among independents and moderates contributed to a more unifying presidency early on, Trump’s 2025 support remains narrowly anchored to his core Republican base.
Conclusion
President Trump’s first 100 days in 2025 demonstrate a presidency once again willing to defy political norms, aggressively pursue immigration crackdowns, and enact protectionist economic policies—at significant political, legal, and economic cost. His achievements in border enforcement and domestic investment are overshadowed by declining public approval, a struggling stock market, and growing international unease.
In contrast, President Biden’s first 100 days in 2021 emphasized crisis management, pandemic recovery, and economic stabilization, earning him broader approval across partisan lines and among international allies.
As Trump moves forward, the challenge remains whether his disruptive strategies can achieve sustainable success—or whether they will deepen America’s political and economic divides.
References:
- ABC News/Washington Post/Ipsos Poll – Trump’s 100-Day Approval Lowest in 80 Years
- AP/NORC Poll, April 2025 – 100 Days Into Trump’s Second Term
- New York Times/Siena College Poll Coverage
- International Monetary Fund – World Economic Outlook, April 2025
- FiveThirtyEight – Biden Approval Rating Tracker
Disclaimer:
This article is based on publicly available information, polling data, and credible media reports. All facts are attributed through direct hyperlinks. The views expressed are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of any affiliated media organization.
Freelance Writer
