The approval ratings of U.S. President Donald Trump have taken a hit, according to the latest Reuters/Ipsos poll, signaling possible growing unease among Americans over his increasingly assertive governance style. The poll revealed that only 42% of respondents currently approve of Trump’s performance — the lowest rating of his second term since January 2025.

The dip marks a steady decline from 43% three weeks ago, and a notable drop from the 47% approval rating recorded immediately after his inauguration earlier this year. This decline in popularity comes amid a series of controversial executive moves and growing tensions between the Trump administration and various public institutions.

Despite the slump, the Reuters report points out that Trump’s ratings still remain higher than those of Joe Biden throughout his presidency. Nevertheless, the downward trend is raising eyebrows, especially as the administration continues to push policies seen by critics as efforts to consolidate power.

“Many of Trump’s executive orders seek to expand his power and influence in both government departments and over private institutions such as universities and law firms,” the report notes.

One of the most contentious developments has been Trump’s self-appointment as board chair of the Kennedy Center, a premier cultural institution in Washington. The move, widely criticized as symbolic of executive overreach, follows mounting tensions between the administration and universities that have resisted aligning with the president’s ideology.

Analysts suggest that such actions, while consolidating Trump’s authority among his core base, may be alienating broader swathes of the American public. The latest numbers from the Reuters/Ipsos poll suggest that the president’s approval rating could further erode unless there is a course correction.