Shocking Poll: Americans reveal the best and worst things Trump has done in his second term
Donald Trump. Picture: David Hume Kennerly/Getty Images
As President Donald Trump presses forward in his second term, Americans remain sharply divided over what they see as his biggest achievements, and his most troubling actions.
A new The Washington Post-ABC News-Ipsos poll of more than 2,300 U.S. adults asked a direct question: What is the best, and worst, thing Trump has done since January 2025?
The results show immigration policies dominate both praise and criticism, underscoring how central the issue has become to Trump’s presidency ahead of his State of the Union address.
Immigration Dominates Praise From Trump Supporters
Among Americans who approve of Trump’s job performance, 39% in the poll, immigration stands out overwhelmingly as his best action.
- 79% cited immigration policies, including deportations and border enforcement
- 45% mentioned the economy
- 15% cited tax cuts or his “One Big Beautiful Bill”
- Smaller shares pointed to federal spending cuts and international peace efforts
Supporters frequently referenced “closing the border,” deporting undocumented immigrants and combating fentanyl trafficking.
The poll also revealed ideological intensity. Among “very conservative” Trump supporters, 83% cited immigration as his best action, compared with 66% of moderates who approve of him.
Trump’s border approval remains stronger than other areas. According to separate ABC News/Washington Post/Ipsos findings, 47% approve of his handling of the U.S.-Mexico border, compared with 40% approval for broader immigration policies.
Critics Also Focus on Immigration, But For Different Reasons
Among the 60% of Americans who disapprove of Trump’s job performance, immigration again topped the list, but as his worst action.
- 57% cited immigration policies negatively
- 33% mentioned the economy
- 22% pointed to corruption or constitutional violations
- 17% criticised international relations
- 13% referenced the Epstein files
Opponents frequently described deportations as overly aggressive and criticised expanded powers for immigration enforcement agencies.
The divide highlights a striking contrast: while supporters emphasise border security, critics focus more on enforcement practises and deportations. In fact, 50% of opponents specifically mentioned immigration enforcement compared with 32% of supporters.
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Economic Concerns: Tariffs and Inflation Weigh on Approval
While immigration leads the conversation, economic issues remain a key factor shaping public opinion.
Among Trump critics, nearly 29% specifically mentioned tariffs as problematic. Nationally, approval ratings on economic issues are weaker:
- 34% approve of Trump’s handling of tariffs
- 32% approve of his handling of inflation
Those numbers mirror former President Joe Biden’s inflation approval ratings during his term, reflecting persistent voter frustration over rising costs.
A separate poll from CNN found that nearly 70% of Americans believe Trump is focused on the wrong priorities, up from 55% a year ago.
Young voters appear particularly critical. Among Trump opponents ages 18–29, 70% cited immigration as one of his worst actions, compared with roughly half of older critics.
Approval Ratings and Shifting Public Sentiment
Overall, Trump’s approval on immigration has declined from 50% to 40% over the past year, according to the ABC News/Washington Post/Ipsos survey.
The generational gap is notable: younger Americans are more likely than older voters to disapprove of both Trump’s immigration policies and his overall job performance.
At the same time, immigration remains one of Trump’s strongest issues among his base, and he is expected to emphasize border policy in his State of the Union address.
How the Poll Was Conducted
The Washington Post/ABC News/Ipsos survey poll was conducted Feb. 12–17 among 2,589 U.S. adults via Ipsos KnowledgePanel, a nationally representative survey panel recruited using random sampling.
The margin of error is:
- ±3.4 percentage points among Trump approvers (887 adults)
- ±2.7 points among Trump disapprovers (1,422 adults)
Open-ended responses were categorized using AI-assisted coding and reviewed by polling analysts.
FAQ
What do Americans say is the best thing Trump has done in his second term?
According to a Washington Post-ABC News-Ipsos poll, 79% of Trump supporters cited immigration policies, including border security and deportations, as his best action.
What do critics say is Trump’s worst action?
Among Americans who disapprove of Trump, 57% identified immigration policies as his worst action, particularly enforcement and deportation practices.
What is Trump’s approval rating in 2026?
In the ABC News/Washington Post/Ipsos poll, 39% of Americans approve of Trump’s job performance, while 60% disapprove.
How do Americans feel about Trump’s handling of immigration?
About 47% approve of his handling of the U.S.-Mexico border, but only 40% approve of his broader immigration policies, a decline from earlier in his term.
What is Trump’s approval rating on inflation and tariffs?
Only 32% approve of his handling of inflation and 34% approve of his approach to tariffs, reflecting economic dissatisfaction among voters.
Do young voters support Trump’s immigration policies?
Poll data shows younger Americans are more likely to disapprove of Trump’s immigration actions compared with older voters. Among critics aged 18–29, 70% cited immigration as one of his worst actions.
Why do many Americans say Trump has the wrong priorities?
A CNN poll found nearly 70% of Americans believe Trump is focused on the wrong issues, suggesting broader concern about his policy emphasis.
How was the poll conducted?
The survey included 2,589 U.S. adults and was conducted using Ipsos KnowledgePanel. The margin of error ranged from ±2.7 to ±3.4 percentage points depending on subgroup analysis.