“President’s Performance on Key Priorities Recealed” by Jason Lange and Bo Erickson
A recent Reuters/Ipsos poll reveals that Americans have mixed feelings about President Donald Trump’s approach to the economy and efforts to reduce the size of the government. There is also dissatisfaction with some of the contentious issues he has tackled, such as proposals to take control of Gaza.
The poll, conducted from February 13 to 18 and involving over 4,000 U.S. adults, asked participants about their support for various Trump policies and how these issues might impact their future voting decisions. The findings suggest that Trump is focusing on initiatives that are not well-received by many Americans or are not seen as significant priorities.
One of the key concerns for voters is inflation, with 58% of respondents indicating that it will greatly influence their future voting choices. However, only 32% approved of Trump’s handling of inflation. Additionally, public sentiment towards the economy has declined to its lowest level in over a year, according to a University of Michigan survey.
One controversial proposal that drew criticism was Trump’s idea of the U.S. government taking over Gaza and relocating Palestinians elsewhere. Only 25% of respondents, including half of Republicans, supported this plan. Many viewed it as impractical and costly, with concerns about the ultimate outcome of such a move.
While Trump’s efforts to streamline the government are deemed important by many Americans, opinions are divided largely along party lines. Sixty percent of respondents said that the Department of Government Efficiency task force, headed by Elon Musk, would impact their voting decisions in the upcoming federal elections in 2026. However, only 42% support the initiative, while 53% oppose it.
There is also apprehension about Trump’s proposal to abolish the Department of Education, with 65% of respondents, including a significant portion of Republicans, expressing opposition. Concerns were raised about the potential impact on special education programs and resources for children with disabilities.
Overall, the poll results indicate a complex and nuanced view of Trump’s performance on key issues, with a mix of support and criticism from the American public.
Supporters of the president’s Make America Great Again (MAGA) movement, particularly those who strongly identify with it, show strong backing for Elon Musk’s endeavors, with 94% expressing support for his initiatives. Additionally, 78% of these fervent MAGA followers indicated that Musk’s efforts would serve as a significant motivator for them in upcoming elections. A similar proportion of dedicated MAGA voters view increased deportations of illegal immigrants as a crucial factor influencing their voting decisions, a topic that was central to Trump’s presidential campaign the previous year.
In a recent Reuters/Ipsos poll, just over half of all respondents, accounting for 55%, favored the idea of escalating deportations, while 41% were opposed to it. Despite this, less than half, specifically 47% of respondents, approved of Trump’s handling of immigration matters. The president’s stance on imposing tariffs, particularly concerning Canada, received a mixed response, with 59% of respondents, including some Republicans, rejecting this proposition.
Expressing reservations about some of Trump’s actions, Todd Wellman, a 49-year-old Republican from Indianapolis, voiced concerns about engaging in disputes with Canada, questioning the rationale behind such confrontations. Wellman further disclosed that he opted to write in JD Vance, now the Vice President, as his preferred presidential candidate in the recent election. Despite his uncertainties regarding Trump, Wellman acknowledged a preference for him over his Democratic predecessor, Joe Biden, noting his support for the general direction in which Trump aims to steer the country, albeit expressing reservations about his methods.
Conducted nationwide, the poll encompassed 4,145 U.S. adults and carried a margin of error of 2 percentage points. The reporting was executed by Jason Lange and Bo Erickson, with editing contributions from Scott Malone and Deepa Babington.
