Trump's Approval Rating Hits 53% Early in Term... Supports Illegal Immigration Deportation and Heavy Tariffs on China

Two-thirds of respondents oppose tariffs on Canada
Half of respondents wary of Musk's influence

A poll revealed that more than half of Americans support the governance of U.S. President Donald Trump, who marked three weeks in office. Two-thirds of Americans support President Trump's policy of deporting illegal immigrants, while opposing tariff bombs imposed on key allies Canada and the European Union (EU).

According to a survey conducted by CBS News and polling firm YouGov from the 5th to the 7th (local time) targeting 2,175 adults, 53% of respondents supported President Trump's overall job performance since his inauguration on the 20th of last month (margin of error ±2.5 percentage points). The percentage of respondents who did not support Trump's job performance was 47%.

When asked whether President Trump is fulfilling his campaign promises, 70% answered yes. Only 30% responded that he was not fulfilling them.

Regarding President Trump's image, 69% rated him as "strong," the highest rating. This was followed by "energetic" (63%), "focused" (60%), and "efficient" (58%).

By specific policies, support was high for measures addressing illegal immigration and tariffs on China, while efforts to ease inflation were judged insufficient.

First, 59% of respondents expressed support for President Trump's policy of deporting illegal immigrants. Sixty-four percent approved of deploying troops to the U.S.-Mexico border. Regarding the construction of detention facilities for illegal immigrants, support and opposition were nearly even at 48% and 52%, respectively.

Opinions on President Trump's tariff measures varied by country. Support for tariffs on China was 56%, with 44% opposed. In contrast, opposition to tariffs on Canada and Mexico was 62% and 56%, respectively. Opposition to tariffs on the EU also reached 60%. Earlier, President Trump delayed imposing a 25% tariff on Canada and Mexico for one month, while on the 4th, he imposed an additional 10% tariff on China on top of existing tariffs.

Efforts to slow inflation received poor evaluations. Sixty-six percent of respondents felt that President Trump's efforts to ease inflation were insufficient. Only 31% thought they were adequate.

Regarding Elon Musk, Tesla CEO and head of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), 31% of respondents said he should not exert influence over government operations and spending. Eighteen percent said his influence should be limited, indicating that half of the respondents expressed caution about Musk's involvement in governance.

Regarding the ability to mediate the conflict between Israel and the Palestinian armed group Hamas, 54% of respondents evaluated it positively. However, 47% of respondents said President Trump's plan for the U.S. to take control of the Gaza Strip was a bad idea, and 40% were unsure. Only 13% thought it was a good idea.

U.S. presidents tend to record relatively high approval ratings in early polls during their "honeymoon period." Former President Joe Biden had a 57% approval rating in early February 2021. Former President Barack Obama had a 66% approval rating as of January 2009, and former President George W. Bush had 59% in February 2001.