Recent polling data indicates that a majority of Americans do not perceive President Donald Trump as wielding excessive power, challenging claims from Democratic officials who liken his behavior to that of “a king.” Many respondents believe Trump has an appropriate level of authority or perhaps not enough, diverging from narratives put forth by some Democrats.
CNN analyst Harry Enten recently said, “So the idea, that argument that Donald Trump is ‘a king,’ that I don’t think holds with the American people.”
Since taking office in January, Trump has signed 111 executive orders, a record number at this stage of a presidency in at least a century, according to Enten. Despite this high volume of executive actions, polls suggest concerns about presidential overreach are not as widespread as some Democrats might expect.
The Reuters/Ipsos poll released on April 21 showed that Trump’s approval rating stands at 42%, the lowest since his return to the presidency. While many Americans express caution about certain expansions of presidential power, such as influencing cultural institutions or withholding university funding, these concerns do not translate into a belief that the president possesses too much power overall.
A notable shift in public perception of both major political parties has emerged. Polls reveal that Americans now see the Republican and Democratic parties as equally concerned about citizens, with the latest Quinnipiac poll showing equal support for both parties.
Enten described this as one of the most surprising pieces of polling data he has encountered this year, or in any previous year. This marks a significant change, as the Democratic Party has typically been viewed as more caring toward citizens.
The data indicates a notable increase in support for Republicans among non-college-educated voters, with a nine percentage point gain in recent years. In contrast, support among college-educated voters has remained stable.
The Democratic Party, once significantly advantaged in perceptions of caring for citizens, has seen its lead decrease considerably. Recent polling shows the Democratic Party’s lead has shrunk from seven points to just one.
According to Gallup, the Republican Party has maintained a slight advantage in party affiliation for the third consecutive year. In 2024, 46% of Americans identified as Republican or leaning Republican, compared to 45% for Democrats. This shift has been driven by increased Republican identification among various demographic groups, including Hispanic Americans, young adults, and those without a college degree.
The Pew Research Center analysis of partisan identification from 1994 to 2023 confirms that partisan coalitions are increasingly distinct. The Democratic Party has become more racially and ethnically diverse, while the gap in partisanship between college-educated and non-college-educated voters has widened.
These changes in party perception may have significant implications for upcoming midterm elections. Looking ahead to the midterms, Enten cautioned that Democrats should reconsider any assumptions about automatically regaining control of the House.
The 2022 midterm elections saw Republicans gain control of the House with 222 seats compared to 213 for Democrats. This narrow Republican majority emerged despite forecasts of a “red wave,” with factors such as the abortion issue, candidate quality, and youth turnout contributing to stronger-than-expected Democratic performance.
Public satisfaction with the nation’s direction has showed stark partisan divides since Trump’s return to office. Republican satisfaction with the state of the nation rose from 10% in January to 68% in February, while Democratic satisfaction fell from 32% to 5%. This 58-point increase in Republican satisfaction is the largest Gallup has measured between surveys since 1991.
Trump’s second term has seen his approval rating average 45%, slightly higher than the 42% average during the same period in his first term. This improvement has been driven by increased support among Republicans, conservatives, men, and minority groups, offsetting decreased support from Democrats, liberals, and seniors.
Despite these findings, Enten noted on Tuesday, April 22, that most Americans would hold President Trump accountable if a recession were to occur within the next year.
“If Donald Trump thinks he can avoid being blamed in the event of a recession, let me offer a reality check,” Enten remarked during an interview with CNN’s Kate Bolduan.
In the context of the challenges posed by Trump’s tariffs, Enten observed that the S&P 500, established in 1957, experienced its steepest decline under Trump compared to any other president at the same stage of their term.
“No other elected president at this point in their presidency saw a drop of 5% or more. So Donald Trump is on a planet all by himself, a planet you do not want to be on,” he said.
