(RNS) — President Donald Trump’s first 100 days in office were filled with change and controversy — with the new president signing a record number of executive orders that included banning diversity efforts, feuding with some of the nation’s largest universities, launching high-profile deportations and imposing tariffs that sent the stock market yo-yoing.
For many Americans, it appears to be too much.
More than half (59%) said they disapprove of how Trump has done his job, with a similar (59%) number disapproving of his tariffs, according to a new report from the Pew Research Center, based on a survey of 3,589 U.S. adults in early April. More than half also disapprove of cuts to federal agencies (55%) and diversity, equity and inclusion programs (53%).
One group, however, seems to see his administration’s efforts more positively.
“Clear majority of White evangelicals approve of Trump’s handling of job” (Graphic courtesy of Pew Research Center)
Nearly three-quarters (72%) of evangelicals indicated they approve of Trump’s job performance as well as his actions on DEI programs (75%) and cuts to federal agencies (75%). About two-thirds (67%) approve of his tariff policies, according to the report released Monday (April 28).
“White evangelicals clearly stand out on Trump’s approval rating on various issues,” said Chip Rotolo, a research associate on Pew Research Center’s Religion and Public Life team. “Clear majorities of white evangelicals approve of what Trump and his administration are doing.”
Other faith groups appeared more skeptical. Seventy-three percent of Hispanic Catholics, 85% of Black Protestants and 74% of the religiously unaffiliated — also known as nones — said they disapproved of Trump’s performance.
White Catholics and white Protestants who are not evangelical were essentially spit down the middle, with 51% of Christians disapproving of Trump’s job performance, the report showed.
Pew Research also found Trump’s approval rating has declined by about 7 percentage points among several religious groups since his inauguration.
Rotolo said the faith group results mirrored the nation’s partisan divides. Evangelicals predominantly identity as Republicans, while Black Protestants, nones and Hispanic Catholics lean Democratic.
Evangelicals are also more likely to find Trump trustworthy, according to the report. More than half (57%) said they trust the current president’s words more than past presidents’. By contrast, two-thirds of Black Protestants (65%) and nones (64%) said they trust Trump’s words less than other presidents’, as do 45% of Catholics.
White evangelicals are also more likely than other Americans to see Trump administration leaders as ethical.
“57% of White evangelicals say they trust Trump’s words more than those of previous presidents” (Graphic courtesy of Pew Research Center)
