How voters really feel about Trump’s second term

How voters really feel about Trump’s second term

• Americans' emotions about Trump's presidency remain deeply polarized and stable
• Democrats angry and disgusted; Republicans content but less intense.
• Independents show disappointment and unease, with little enthusiasm

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More than a year into Donald Trump’s second term, Americans don’t just disagree about his presidency. They feel very differently about it. And those feelings, according to the latest New York Times–Siena poll, appear firmly set.

The survey asked voters a simple question: what single emotion best describes how you feel about Trump’s presidency so far? The answers ranged from “absolute joy” to “rage” and “terror”. What stood out wasn’t just the polarity, but how stable it has remained. Despite months of major policy moves and controversies, overall sentiment has barely shifted since last spring.

Democrats: Anger, disgust, and fear dominate

Among Democrats, the emotional response is intense and visceral. Anger topped the list, followed closely by disgust. Many respondents went further, using words like “hate”, “horror”, “rage”, and “terrified”. Some responses were blunt to the point of shock, including words like “vomit” and “lock him up”.

What’s striking is not just how negative these emotions are, but how strong they are. Compared with Republicans, Democrats expressed feelings that were sharper, more emotional, and more personal. Fear and anxiety were present, but anger and revulsion dominated.

Political psychologists say this matters. Anger tends to harden views rather than change them. It reinforces existing beliefs instead of encouraging people to reconsider or seek new information.

Republicans: Contentment more than excitement

Republican voters, by contrast, were largely positive, but less emotionally charged. The most common words they used were “happy”, “satisfied”, “good”, and “great”. There was enthusiasm and pride, but not at the same emotional pitch seen among Democratic anger.

Experts say that’s typical. Positive emotions are often less differentiated. When people feel things are broadly going well, they don’t always feel the need to articulate it in vivid terms.

Still, not all Republicans were pleased. A small but noticeable share expressed disappointment or frustration, sometimes from the opposite direction, feeling Trump had not gone far enough on issues like immigration or government reform.

Independents: Disappointment and unease

Independent voters sat uncomfortably in the middle. They were about as likely to express disappointment as hostility, with smaller numbers saying they felt satisfied or hopeful.

Words like “disappointed”, “frustrated”, “confused”, and “concerned” came up frequently. This group showed more emotional ambivalence than either Democrats or Republicans, but not much enthusiasm.

That matters politically, because independents often decide close elections. Emotional disengagement or disappointment, rather than outrage or excitement, can translate into lower turnout.

Why emotions matter more than opinions

Researchers who study the link between emotion and politics point out an important distinction. Anger often pushes people toward confrontation and blame, while fear and anxiety tend to make people pay attention and seek information.

The poll suggests Trump’s opponents are driven more by anger than anxiety, which may explain why opinions feel “locked in”. Republicans, meanwhile, are broadly content, even if not euphoric. That combination helps explain why overall approval numbers have remained stubbornly stable.

A country is emotionally stuck

Perhaps the most important takeaway from the poll is how little has changed. The share of voters expressing negative feelings toward Trump today is almost identical to that of months ago. Republicans have become slightly more positive, Democrats and independents barely moved at all.

In other words, events are piling up, but emotions are not shifting.

Trump’s presidency continues to divide the country not just politically, but emotionally. And for now, those emotional lines look deeply entrenched, shaping how Americans see not just the president, but each other.