Republican voters are starting to regret their choice after President Trump’s second term is turning out to be exactly what they voted for: chaotic across the board. A new poll reveals that many Americans — including nearly half of Trump’s own supporters — are now feeling disillusioned as they face the full reality of his presidency.
A survey from The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research shows Americans are nearly twice as likely to say Trump is focused on the wrong priorities than to say he’s focused on the right ones. Nearly 4 in 10 rate his second term as “terrible.” Only about 3 in 10 say he’s been “great” or “good.”
About 7 in 10 U.S. adults say Trump’s second term is playing out just as they expected — but that doesn’t mean they’re pleased. The chaos, the headlines, the unfiltered approach — none of it is surprising anymore. But that doesn’t make it any easier to watch.
Democrats, unsurprisingly, are frustrated. Three-quarters say Trump is focusing on the wrong issues. Seven in ten call him a “terrible” president — up from six in ten before he was sworn in. Rahsaan Henderson, a Democrat from California, put it bluntly: “It has been one of the longest 100 days I’ve ever had to sit through.”
Trump’s strongest issue, according to the poll, is immigration — where 46% of Americans approve of his approach. But his numbers drop sharply when it comes to foreign policy, trade, and the economy.
Even among Republicans, the shine is starting to fade. GOP approval of Trump’s job performance has slipped about 10 points since January. Some supporters are openly questioning his handling of key issues, especially the war in Ukraine.
Stephanie Melnyk, a Republican from Tennessee, still supports Trump overall — but said she’s uneasy about his foreign policy. Her family emigrated from Ukraine, and she doesn’t trust the president’s approach. “Trump is trying for a quick fix that’s not going to last,” she said. “Putin is not to be trusted.”
Still, many Republicans remain in Trump’s corner. Supporters praise his government spending cuts and point to the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) — led by billionaire Elon Musk — as proof that change is happening. “Overall, I would have to say that I’m happy with the Trump presidency,” said Matthew Spencer, 30, from Texas. He applauded DOGE’s efforts and Trump’s “America First” stance.
But even some of those backing his economic policies are cautiously optimistic at best. Carlos Guevara, 46, from Florida, said DOGE has been a “smash hit,” but admitted Trump’s tariff strategy could backfire. “If that does encourage businesses to start manufacturing here… then that’ll wash out over time,” he said.
Democrats are far less hopeful. Many believe Trump’s hardline policies on deportation and trade have gone too far. Gabriel Antonucci, 26, a Democrat who recently moved to South Carolina, didn’t mince words: “It really seems like he is doing everything he can to make the wrong decisions,” he said. “Things are probably going to be worse in four years than they are right now.”
Now, as Trump barrels forward with the chaos he promised, some Republican voters are waking up to a harsh reality: this is exactly what they voted for. The border crackdowns, the trade wars, the international stumbles — none of it should be surprising. It was all part of the deal. But with approval slipping and frustration growing, more conservatives are starting to ask the one question no voter wants to face: Was it worth it?
