Voters see Trump overreaching as approval slips, Times/Siena poll finds

The poll found Trump's overall approval rating at 42 percent, consistent with his persistently low popularity, but notably weak among independents, where his approval has plummeted to just 29 percent.

Voters believe US President Donald Trump is overreaching in his efforts to expand executive power, with a New York Times/Siena College poll showing widespread concern about the direction of his second term.

A majority described his early months as "chaotic" and "scary," even among some supporters, while key pillars of his agenda, including tariffs and immigration enforcement, face growing disapproval, the New York Times reported.

Trump's approval remains historically low

The poll found Trump's overall approval rating at 42 percent, consistent with his persistently low popularity, but notably weak among independents, where his approval has plummeted to just 29 percent. Majorities of voters said Trump had "gone too far" on tariffs, federal workforce cuts, and immigration actions. On the economy, once a strength for Trump, only 43 percent now approve of his management.

Erosion of economic confidence

Trump’s handling of the economy has sparked dissatisfaction, with half of voters saying his policies have worsened conditions. Trust in Trump on economic issues — crucial to his 2024 re-election — has sharply declined, with voters more likely to say his actions have hurt rather than helped them.

Independents and moderates drive concerns

Independents, a crucial electoral bloc, overwhelmingly feel Trump is exceeding presidential powers. Majorities oppose allowing a president to impose tariffs without congressional approval, eliminate programs enacted by Congress, deport protesting legal immigrants, or defy Supreme Court rulings — all issues tied to recent Trump actions.

Mixed views on immigration and Musk's role

While Trump's policy of mass deportations still garners slim majority support, voters disapprove of his broader immigration management. They also express deep scepticism toward Elon Musk, who, as a senior Trump adviser, oversees drastic federal agency cuts. Only 35 percent view Musk favourably, and policies tied to his name are less popular.

Democrats gain slight advantage

The poll suggests a slight Democratic advantage heading into the 2026 midterms, with 47 percent of voters preferring a Democratic congressional candidate compared to 44 percent favouring a Republican. Despite lingering loyalty among his base, Trump faces widening opposition across the electorate, with concerns about executive overreach, economic instability, and governance chaos shaping public opinion.

Methodology

The Times/Siena poll surveyed 913 registered voters nationwide from April 21–24, with a margin of sampling error of plus or minus 3.8 percentage points.