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Detractors argue that the administration’s assessments frequently omit important context, such as uneven distribution of economic gains, persistent cost-of-living pressures, or the broader social consequences of abrupt policy shifts. Trump’s polarizing nature amplifies this tension. He inspires fierce devotion among followers who view him as a truth-teller battling entrenched elites, while provoking equally intense opposition from those who see his approach as corrosive and misleading. As a result, competing narratives about his presidency coexist with little overlap. In this environment, public opinion polls take on heightened significance. They offer a snapshot of sentiment that exists outside rallies, press conferences, and partisan media, revealing how Trump’s claims resonate—or fail to resonate—beyond his core base.
Public approval has always been a complicated terrain for Trump, and it has become even more consequential since his return to office. From the outset of his second term last January, he moved quickly to reassert executive authority, issuing orders and advancing policies designed to signal decisiveness and control.
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