CNN Poll: Americans worried by Trump’s push to expand power | CNN Politics

CNN - Feb 20th, 2025

At one month into Donald Trump's second term, his approval rating is negative but higher than any point during his first term, according to a CNN poll. However, signs of waning support are evident as optimism about his presidency has decreased since December. A majority of Americans feel Trump isn't sufficiently addressing high living costs, with 52% believing he has overstepped his presidential powers. The poll highlights divisions in public opinion, with 47% approving and 52% disapproving of his performance so far. Notably, Trump faces skepticism for his government restructuring efforts, including elevating Elon Musk and proposing agency closures.

The implications of Trump's early actions are significant, as public confidence in his administration appears to be eroding. Economic concerns dominate, with 62% of Americans dissatisfied with his efforts to tackle rising goods prices. The poll reflects a growing pessimism, with 54% feeling uneasy about the remainder of Trump's term. Additionally, his approval ratings among traditionally Democratic-leaning groups have declined since taking office. The poll also reveals widespread apprehension over Trump's power use and his contentious proposals, which have sparked legal challenges and skepticism about the Supreme Court's ability to adjudicate these matters fairly.

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Story submitted by Fairstory

RATING

8.0

Fair Story

Consider it well-founded

The article provides a comprehensive overview of public opinion on Donald Trump's presidency during the early stages of his second term. It effectively uses data from a reputable CNN poll to present a balanced view of approval and disapproval ratings, while highlighting key issues such as the economy, presidential power, and demographic shifts. The article is well-structured, clear, and timely, addressing topics of significant public interest.

While the article is mostly accurate, with credible sources and transparent methodology, it could benefit from additional context or expert analysis to enhance understanding and engagement. The discussion of controversial topics is handled responsibly, encouraging thoughtful debate without sensationalism.

Overall, the article is a valuable contribution to political discourse, providing insights into public sentiment and potential implications for policy and governance. Its strengths lie in its clarity, balance, and relevance, while areas for improvement include deeper analysis and engagement strategies.

Accuracy

The story presents a range of statistics and claims regarding Donald Trump's approval ratings and public perceptions during his second term. The approval rating of 47% with 52% disapproving is consistent with the data from the CNN poll conducted by SSRS. The story accurately reflects the mixed public sentiment toward Trump's handling of key issues, like the economy and presidential power.

However, some claims require further verification, such as the detailed demographic breakdowns and specific policy reactions. The story states that Trump’s support among younger and Hispanic adults is 41%, and 23% among Black adults, which aligns with the poll's findings. The claim that 55% feel Trump hasn't paid enough attention to the country's most important problems is supported by the poll results.

The story accurately reports on the public's perception of Trump's power usage, with 52% saying he has gone too far, which is corroborated by the poll. However, the specific details about Trump's proposal regarding Gaza and the reactions to it are less commonly reported, requiring additional verification. Overall, the story is mostly accurate, with minor areas needing further corroboration.

Balance

The article presents a balanced view of public opinion on Trump's presidency by including perspectives from various demographic groups and political affiliations. It highlights both approval and disapproval ratings, offering insights into the sentiments of Democrats, Republicans, and independents.

While the story provides a comprehensive overview of public opinion, it leans slightly towards highlighting negative perceptions, such as the majority view that Trump hasn't addressed key issues adequately. The inclusion of dissenting opinions, such as the 47% approval rating, helps maintain balance.

However, the article could benefit from more detailed exploration of the reasons behind the approval ratings and the perspectives of those who support Trump's policies. This would provide a more nuanced understanding of the political landscape and ensure a more balanced representation of views.

Clarity

The article is well-structured and presents information in a clear and logical manner. The use of subheadings, such as 'Pessimism on the rise' and 'Wariness of Trump’s push for power,' helps organize the content and guide readers through the various points discussed.

The language used is straightforward and accessible, making it easy for readers to understand the key findings and implications of the poll. The article effectively communicates complex statistical data in a manner that is digestible for a general audience.

However, the article could benefit from more context or background information on specific policies mentioned, such as Trump's proposal regarding Gaza, to enhance reader comprehension. Overall, the article maintains clarity and coherence, effectively conveying the poll results and public sentiment.

Source quality

The article is based on a CNN poll conducted by SSRS, a reputable firm known for its methodological rigor in polling. The use of a random national sample of 1,206 adults and the inclusion of the margin of sampling error (+/- 3.1 percentage points) add to the credibility of the data presented.

The attribution to CNN and the mention of specific contributors, Ariel Edwards-Levy and Edward Wu, further enhance the source quality. The story relies on authoritative sources and provides a detailed account of the polling methodology, lending credibility to the findings.

The article could improve by including additional sources or expert commentary to provide context or analysis beyond the poll results. Nonetheless, the reliance on a well-conducted poll from a reputable source ensures high source quality.

Transparency

The article provides transparency by detailing the methodology of the CNN poll, including the sample size, margin of error, and the polling dates. This transparency allows readers to assess the reliability of the data presented.

The story also discloses the contributors and the organization responsible for conducting the poll, which adds to the transparency of the reporting process. However, the article could enhance transparency by discussing the potential limitations or biases inherent in polling, such as non-response bias or the influence of question wording.

Overall, the article does a commendable job in disclosing the basis for its claims, but it could further improve by addressing potential limitations or biases in the polling process.