President Donald Trump and his close ally, Elon Musk, are facing a wave of disapproval from the American public just three months into Trump’s second term.
A new poll by the University of Massachusetts Amherst paints a troubling picture for both men, suggesting that their aggressive and controversial approach to governing may be wearing thin with voters.
According to the survey, only 44% of respondents approve of Trump’s performance so far, with just 27% strongly approving.
In contrast, 51% disapprove, including 44% who strongly disapprove. These numbers suggest that Trump is struggling to maintain support even among some of his previous backers.
The president’s handling of key issues like jobs, foreign policy, civil rights, inflation, and trade is viewed poorly by a large segment of Americans.
For instance, 62% disapprove of his response to inflation, while 58% are unhappy with how he’s managed trade, areas where rising costs and unstable markets continue to impact everyday Americans.
Tatishe Nteta, director of the UMass Amherst Poll, told Rolling Stone that “with the stock market tumbling, prices still high, and confidence in the economy at a low point, it’s no surprise Trump is struggling.”
He added that Trump and his team must address these economic issues quickly or risk losing even more public support.
The poll also reveals deeper concerns about Trump’s leadership. A majority of voters say they are not confident he can unite the country (53%) or show moral leadership in a crisis (51%).
Nearly half believe he is damaging U.S. democracy (49%), weakening America’s global reputation (49%), and harming public health (47%).
On the question of a possible third term, despite the Constitution’s clear two-term limit, 65% of Americans oppose the idea of Trump running again.
This includes 93% of Democrats and even 36% of Republicans. Still, Trump has not ruled out the possibility, falsely claiming there are ways he could stay in office beyond the legal limit.
Even some of Trump’s supporters are growing uneasy. Among those who voted for him, 26% say they’re having second thoughts, and 2% already regret their choice.
“His base is watching to see if he’ll deliver on his promise to make America great and wealthy again,” Nteta explained.
Elon Musk, meanwhile, is faring even worse. Appointed as head of the so-called “Department of Government Efficiency,”
Musk has overseen mass layoffs and sweeping agency cuts — moves that have not gone over well with the public. On a 0 to 100 scale measuring how warmly people feel toward public figures, Musk scored an average of just 37.
That’s lower than federal employees (58), transgender people (45), and even both major political parties (each at 41).
Musk is also viewed with deep skepticism. Over half of those surveyed said they don’t trust him to use his position for the public good, manage personal data responsibly, or make fair decisions about budget cuts.
A solid majority believes Musk holds too much power in the federal government, and 70% oppose his proposed cuts to Social Security and Medicare, both of which are popular programs.
Even more striking, 45% of Americans now agree with the statement that the U.S. is becoming “an oligarchy,” where a small group controls the government for selfish reasons — a sentiment likely linked to Musk’s outsized influence.
Tensions may be rising between Trump and Musk as well. Trump has reportedly begun distancing himself from Musk, especially after Musk’s failed push to elect a conservative judge in Wisconsin and his opposition to Trump’s tariffs.
Although Musk has denied reports of his potential exit, insiders suggest his days in the administration may be numbered.
As Nteta pointed out, Americans were also asked to describe Musk in one word. The most common response was “smart,” but the second most popular was “evil.” Other frequent choices included “greedy,” “arrogant,” “idiot,” and “weird.”
“Trump has never hesitated to cut ties when an ally becomes a political burden,” Nteta added. “If Musk can’t turn public opinion around, he might soon join the growing list of former Trump officials.”
Ultimately, the public’s patience appears to be running thin. Americans are watching closely as Trump and Musk push ahead with bold — and often chaotic — moves.
But the lack of real improvements in daily life, especially on economic issues, is making it hard for many to stay on board.
This time, Trump’s high-flying promises might not be enough — and now, he’s got a billionaire sidekick to share the blame when things go wrong.
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