tippinsights Editorial Board, TIPP Insights
It’s Christmas Every Day for Trump’s Base as He Moves Fast on Immigration, Restoring Core Values, and the Economy.
Anew TIPP Poll shows President Trump is off to a strong start. Seventy days in, voters give him high marks for handling immigration, restoring the country’s values, and the managing the economy. His overall job approval stands at 44%, with 45% disapproving—close to even in a sharply divided country. Trump’s base is fired up—to them, it’s like Christmas every day. TIPP earned its reputation by being the most accurate pollster in the last six presidential elections. The nationwide survey of 1,452 Americans was conducted March 26–28 and has a credibility interval of ±2.6 points.
Favorability
Seventy days into his presidency, President Trump held a 45% favorability rating, with a net favorability of +1 (45% favorable vs. 44% unfavorable). Last month, his net favorability rating was +4 (47% favorable vs. 43% unfavorable).
Trump enjoys strong backing from Republicans (81%) and conservatives (77%), while most Democrats (76%) and liberals (77%) view him unfavorably. Independent voters are split, with 33% viewing him favorably and 51% unfavorably. Moderates also lean negative, with 34% favorable and 53% unfavorable, signaling a challenge for Trump in appealing to swing voters. Meanwhile, 11% of the public remains undecided.
How About Vice President JD Vance?
Vice President JD Vance also holds a net favorability of +1, with 38% viewing him favorably, 37% unfavorably, and 25% unsure. He enjoys support among Republicans (72%) and conservatives (70%), while most Democrats (66%) and liberals (68%) view him unfavorably. Independents are split at 26% favorable and 42% unfavorable; a sizable 32% remain undecided. Among moderates, Vance faces a net negative rating (26% favorable vs. 43% unfavorable), with nearly a third (30%) still unsure, leaving him room to sharpen his image with the critical voting bloc.
Trump’s Job Approval Stands At 44%
Seventy days into his presidency, 44% of Americans approve of President Trump’s job performance, while 45% disapprove, giving him a net approval of -1. Last month, the net approval was +3 (46% approve and 43% disapprove).
In a divided America, partisan divisions are stark: Republicans (81%) and conservatives (77%) approve of Trump’s job performance, while Democrats (78%) and liberals (77%) overwhelmingly disapprove.
Independents lean towards negative territory, with 33% approving and 52% disapproving; while moderates are similarly split at 32% approval vs. 54% disapproval.
Meanwhile, 11% of Americans, including 15% of independents and 14% of moderates, remain undecided on Trump’s performance.
Tracking Trump’s Leadership: A Seismic Shift In The TIPP Presidential Leadership Index
TIPP’s Presidential Leadership Index offers a streamlined way to track three key components: favorability, job approval, and presidential leadership. The index ranges from 0 to 100, with readings above 50.0 indicating optimism and below 50.0 signaling pessimism.
Under 75 days in office, Trump scores 50.2, placing him in positive territory. Republicans show overwhelming support, soaring to 85.9, while Democrats’ support nosedives to 19.3. Independents post 40.8, signaling a negative outlook.
With the transfer of power, the Republican surge and Democratic plunge highlight the stark political realignment. The dramatic reversal underscores how partisan sentiment shifts when the White House changes hands.
How Trump’s April Leadership Index Compares To Past Presidents
Seventy-plus days into his presidency, Trump’s score on the TIPP Presidential Leadership Index rating is 50.2, an improvement over his first-term score of 39.8, reflecting stronger public confidence. His current rating surpasses the early April score for Obama (48.4) and Bush (48.5), though, unlike them, Trump’s second term is nonconsecutive.
For context, George W. Bush (56.0) and Barack Obama (64.1) saw significantly higher first-term ratings in early April, fueled by initial optimism, but both experienced declines in their second terms. Biden was at 60.2, but Trump’s 50.2 in early April suggests a relatively strong position despite a deeply polarized political environment.
Strong Start: Voters Back Trump On Immigration
President Trump earns high marks for his key campaign issue—immigration and border security, with 48% rating his performance as excellent or good. Border crossings have plummeted under Trump 2.0. In March, migrant arrests at the southern border fell to just 7,180—the lowest monthly total ever recorded. That’s a 94% drop from the same time last year and a steep decrease from the previous four-year monthly average of 155,000 under the Biden administration.
Restoring America’s core values (41%), handling the economy (39%), taxes and spending (38%), and crime (38%) also stand out as prominent areas of voter confidence.
While opinions on foreign policy are still forming, Trump’s handling of China, Russia, and the Israel-Hamas conflict shows a mix of approval and uncertainty. With time, his leadership in these areas could further solidify support.
Overall, 41% of Americans rate Trump’s presidency positively so far.
Seventy days in, Trump 2.0 feels more in control. Voters are noticing the shift—Trump 2.0 is moving with more focus and fewer distractions. He’s not making the same mistakes he made in his first term, and he’s moving fast on what matters. The base is solid, Washington’s adjusting, and independents are watching a sharper, more disciplined Trump.
