POLL SHOCK: Majority Back Trump Third Term as GOP Support Soars
Paul Riverbank, 2/20/2025Recent polls show mixed support for Trump, with majority backing hypothetical third term scenario.
Recent polling data reveals a complex picture of President Donald Trump's approval ratings one month into his second term, with numbers showing both resilience and slight decline in public support.
Three major national polls — Quinnipiac University, Gallup and Reuters/Ipsos — indicate a marginal downturn in Trump's approval ratings since his return to the White House. The president currently maintains approval ratings hovering around 45%, with disapproval ranging between 49% and 51%.
"Incredible things are happening in our country," Trump declared at a recent news conference, where he boldly asserted that his administration has made "more progress in three weeks than they've made in four years" — an apparent reference to his predecessor, former President Biden.
The data presents a stark contrast between Trump's current numbers and those from his first term. While his approval ratings remain underwater, they represent a notable improvement from his initial presidency, where he consistently faced negative ratings throughout his tenure.
Perhaps most striking is the dramatic partisan divide revealed in these polls. The Quinnipiac survey shows an overwhelming 90% approval among Republicans, while support plummets to just 4% among Democrats. Independents remain split, with 43% expressing approval — a crucial metric as the administration advances its agenda.
Adding another layer to this political narrative, a separate Rasmussen poll introduces an intriguing hypothetical scenario: 53% of likely voters believe Trump would win a third term if the Constitution's 22nd Amendment were repealed. This finding — while purely speculative — underscores the president's enduring influence over the American political landscape.
Trump's frenetic pace of executive action has marked his return to office. Having signed nearly 70 executive orders since inauguration — far exceeding the rate of recent predecessors — the president has moved swiftly to implement his agenda and, as some observers note, settle old scores.
Meanwhile, Congress has seen an unexpected surge in public approval, rising 12 points since early January to reach 29% — its highest rating in Gallup polling since May 2021. This uptick occurs against the backdrop of Trump's slight polling decline, suggesting a complex evolution in public sentiment toward Washington's power centers.
The polling data reveals particularly interesting demographic patterns. The Rasmussen survey indicates stronger support for a hypothetical third Trump term among men (57%) than women (50%), while age and ethnic breakdowns show varying levels of enthusiasm for such a scenario.
These numbers emerge as Trump maintains his characteristic confidence, recently taking to social media to celebrate "THREE GREAT WEEKS, PERHAPS THE BEST EVER." While such claims might resonate with his base, the polling data suggests a more nuanced reality — one where presidential approval remains highly polarized and subject to the ever-shifting dynamics of American political life.