Newly released approval ratings offer a revealing look at how Americans feel about Trump’s second term.

His administration enacted the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017, reduced certain federal regulations, and pursued an assertive trade strategy that included tariffs on imports from China and other countries.

Supporters argue these policies encouraged domestic investment and job growth, while critics contend they increased deficits and contributed to trade tensions without resolving structural imbalances.

Tariffs, in particular, became a defining feature of Trump’s economic agenda. He has frequently described tariff revenue as a financial benefit to the United States.

Economists generally note, however, that tariffs are paid by importers and can raise costs for businesses and consumers, even if they generate federal revenue.

The broader economic effects of tariffs depend on multiple factors, including global supply chains, retaliatory measures by other nations, and domestic production capacity. As with many policy debates, assessments vary along partisan and ideological lines.

Energy policy has also been central to Trump’s messaging. He has often framed his approach as promoting American “energy dominance,” citing expanded oil and natural gas production during his first term.

It is true that U.S. energy production increased significantly in the late 2010s, continuing trends that began before his presidency due to technological advances in hydraulic fracturing and horizontal drilling.

Gasoline prices, meanwhile, fluctuate in response to global oil markets, supply disruptions, seasonal demand, and geopolitical developments. While presidents can influence energy policy, retail fuel prices are largely determined by global market forces.