Donald Trump’s Second Act in the White House: An Active Year with Mixed Reviews

Donald Trump’s return to the Oval Office for a second term has seen him take the reins with vigor. Yet, according to recent surveys, winning over the American public remains a challenge.

Over the past year, Trump, now 79, has dived headfirst into an agenda marked by brisk changes. His focus spans immigration policy reforms, reworking international trade agreements, and even making aesthetic updates to the White House.

The Trump administration has prioritized efforts to minimize global conflicts and keep large-scale instability at bay. At the same time, Trump’s strong opinions on international affairs have been center stage. His rhetoric has notably targeted regions including Iran, Mexico, Venezuela, and the Greenland territory linked to NATO ally Denmark.

Of late, Trump’s remarks about asserting control over the Denmark-linked territory of Greenland have stirred some European tensions. His administration defends this stance, citing a need to curb influence from other global powers in the region.

Immigration Policies Stirring Debate

On the domestic front, Trump’s immigration policies have been contentious. While some communities express concerns over enforcement tactics, Trump’s supporters believe these actions underscore his commitment to securing U.S. borders.

Public responses to various Trump policies were captured in a January AP-NORC poll, painting a complex picture of his presidency’s reception.

The survey revealed that about four out of ten Americans approve of Trump’s performance. Remarkably, these numbers have stayed consistent since a similar poll in March 2025 when he was newly back in office.

Approval and Disapproval: The Numbers

According to the poll conducted on January 8, 2026, a clear 59% of adults disapproved of Trump’s job performance, with a 40% approval rate.

On specific policy issues, a significant portion of respondents shared their dissatisfaction:

Economy: 37% approval, 62% disapproval

Immigration: 38% approval, 61% disapproval

Foreign Affairs: 37% approval, 61% disapproval

Trade Negotiations: 37% approval, 61% disapproval

These survey results include a reminder about the inherent margin of error in polling and acknowledge that outcomes for subgroups may vary more broadly.