President Trump's Approval Ratings Remain Low Amid Agency Shake-ups and Tariff Disputes in May 2025

As of early May 2025, President Donald Trump's approval ratings remain low, with disapproval consistently higher. Key factors include controversial decisions like firing FEMA's acting administrator Cameron Hamilton, tightening control over the Nuclear Regulatory Commission, and inconsistent messaging on tariffs. Trump's approval ratings hover around 41-45%, with disapproval at 51-59%. Economic uncertainty and trade tensions, particularly with China, contribute to the political turbulence. Despite minor improvements in some polls, Trump's public support is historically low for a second-term president.

Approval Ratings Hover in the Low 40s

According to aggregated polling data from RealClearPolitics, President Trump’s approval rating stood at 45.2% during the first week of May, a marginal increase from 45% on May 2. However, a broader aggregation by The New York Times, which includes the Associated Press-NORC poll but excludes right-leaning Rasmussen Reports, places his approval at 44% and disapproval at 51%, reflecting a two-point improvement from earlier in the month.

The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research conducted a survey from May 1–5, showing a 41% approval and 57% disapproval rating, with a margin of error of ±4 percentage points. This represents a slight improvement from the previous month’s net -20 approval rating. However, the numbers remain historically low. A CNN/SSRS poll conducted in late April found Trump with a 41% approval and 59% disapproval rating, the lowest for any newly elected president at this point in their term since Dwight Eisenhower.

YouGov’s early April poll also reflected a 44% approval and 51% disapproval rating, while a Morning Consult survey conducted May 2–4 found that voters were seven points more likely to disapprove than approve of Trump’s handling of trade policy. These figures underscore a consistent trend: while there are minor fluctuations, Trump’s approval ratings remain underwater across most major polling organizations.

FEMA Shake-Up Raises Eyebrows Ahead of Hurricane Season

One of the most controversial moves in early May was President Trump’s decision to fire Cameron Hamilton, the acting administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), just three weeks before the start of hurricane season. Hamilton, a former Navy SEAL, had publicly disagreed with the administration’s stance on FEMA operations during a Capitol Hill testimony.

In Hamilton’s place, Trump appointed David Richardson, a former Marine officer with experience in Iraq, Afghanistan, and Africa, and a background in countering weapons of mass destruction at the Department of Homeland Security. However, Richardson lacks experience in natural disaster response, raising concerns among emergency management experts.

During his first all-staff meeting, Richardson reportedly warned FEMA employees against resisting change, stating, “I will run right over you,” according to the Associated Press. He pledged to implement the president’s agenda with the intensity of leading Marines into combat, signaling a potentially aggressive shift in FEMA’s internal culture.

Tightening Control Over Independent Agencies

In a separate development, the Trump administration has moved to tighten its grip on the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC), the independent agency responsible for overseeing the safety of the nation’s nuclear reactors. According to NPR, the administration is considering an executive order that could further erode the NRC’s autonomy. Two U.S. officials, speaking anonymously due to fear of retribution, confirmed the administration’s intent to centralize control.

A spokesperson for the White House’s Office of Management and Budget defended the move, stating that the president’s actions align with constitutional powers and reflect a decades-long conversation about executive oversight of independent agencies.

Trade Talks and Tariff Turbulence

Trade policy remains a central issue in the Trump administration’s agenda, and recent developments have only added to the uncertainty. In early May, President Trump floated the idea of slashing tariffs on Chinese imports to 80%—down from the current 145%—ahead of a high-level meeting in Switzerland with Chinese officials. The talks mark the first major engagement between the two nations since Trump reignited the trade war.

However, the administration’s messaging has been inconsistent. On Wednesday, Trump stated he would not lower tariffs to initiate talks, but by Thursday, he acknowledged that the 145% rate “is coming down.” A White House spokesperson later dismissed reports of imminent tariff cuts as “baseless speculation.”

Despite the confusion, Trump emphasized that China “very much wants to make a deal,” and suggested that multiple trade agreements are in the pipeline. Meanwhile, Chinese exporters have reportedly begun preparing to resume shipments to the U.S., signaling cautious optimism about a potential thaw in trade relations.

Economic Sentiment and Fed Response

The economic impact of Trump’s tariff policies remains a point of concern. While the Federal Reserve held interest rates steady in early May, Chair Jerome Powell warned of significant uncertainty surrounding the “scale, scope, timing, and persistence” of the tariffs. Powell noted that while consumer sentiment has deteriorated, the full economic shock has yet to materialize.

Trump’s “Liberation Day” tariff program, which introduced sweeping import duties, has led to mixed reactions. While some sectors, such as housing, have shown resilience, broader consumer and business sentiment has weakened. The administration has also paused tariffs on certain electronics, including laptops and smartphones, and rolled back some Biden-era AI chip export restrictions in an effort to stabilize markets.

Diplomatic Tensions and High-Stakes Meetings

In addition to trade talks with China, President Trump held a tense Oval Office meeting with Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney. The meeting, which followed Trump’s assertion that “they have to sign deals with us,” underscored the administration’s hardline stance on trade negotiations.

Trump also used social media to tout progress on trade deals, stating, “Many Trade Deals in the hopper, all good (GREAT!) ones!” However, the lack of concrete agreements and the administration’s unpredictable approach have left both allies and adversaries uncertain about the future of U.S. trade policy.

Public Perception on Key Issues

Polling data reveals that Trump’s approval ratings are particularly low on specific policy areas. A University of Massachusetts poll found that only 33% of respondents approved of his handling of inflation, 36% on trade and civil rights, 38% on jobs, and 39% on foreign affairs. Immigration was the only issue where Trump reached a 50% approval rating.

Among younger voters, support remains tepid. A Harvard poll found that only 34% of young men approve of Trump’s job performance, despite a higher turnout for him in the 2024 election compared to 2020.

References

• President Trump makes FEMA leadership changes weeks before hurricane season
• Trump tightens control of independent agency overseeing nuclear safety
• Live updates: Trump floats cutting China tariffs to 80% ahead of weekend meeting
• Trump tariffs live updates: Trump floats slashing China tariffs to 80% with 'many' deals 'in the hopper'
• Trump tariffs live updates: Trump floats slashing China tariffs to 80% with 'many' deals 'in the hopper'
• Trump's approval ratings remain under water in first week of May polling