President Donald Trump gained strong approval for his overall job performance and handling of top priorities during the first year of his second term in office, according to a poll conducted by The Epoch Times among nearly 3,000 readers.
Trump received high ratings for border security, fiscal responsibility, and national defense as well as majority approval in other high-interest areas, signaling overall support.
On his overall job performance, 95 percent of respondents said they “strongly” or “somewhat” approve.
Border Security, Deportations
The Trump administration’s approach on border security and deportations was graded highly, with 96 percent of respondents marking they “strongly approve” or “somewhat approve.”
Before he took office, Trump promised to carry out the largest deportation in American history. The Department of Homeland Security reported in December 2025 that more than 622,000 illegal immigrants had been deported.
Another related area that garnered high approval among readers was Trump’s handling of illicit fentanyl entering the United States. Ninety-five percent of respondents said they “strongly approve” or “somewhat approve,” of Trump’s actions to curb the flow.
President Donald Trump signs an executive order in the Oval Office on Feb. 25, 2025. Trump’s order, titled “Ending Taxpayer Subsidization of Open Borders,” seeks to prevent taxpayer funds from being used in ways that encourage illegal immigration. (Alex Wong/Getty Images)
Last fall, the Trump administration launched Operation Southern Spear to dismantle drug-running routes in the Pacific Ocean and Caribbean. The initiative has led to dozens of airstrikes on drug boats and more than 100 alleged narco-terrorists killed.
In December 2025, Trump signed an executive order designating fentanyl as a weapon of mass destruction.
On the president’s handling of immigration law and visa reform, 93 percent of readers reported they “strongly approve” or “somewhat approve.”
Fiscal Responsibility
The poll found 82 percent of survey respondents “strongly” or “somewhat” approved of Trump’s approach to government spending and debt reduction.
When he took office, Trump tasked SpaceX and Tesla CEO Elon Musk to run the newly conceived Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE). Under Musk’s tenure, the agency facilitated the slashing of billions in funding and reduction of staff at several federal agencies.
As of the latest update Jan. 1, DOGE estimates $215 billion in savings, with about $1,335 saved per taxpayer.
On inflation and cost of living, 83 percent of respondents “strongly approve” or “somewhat approve” of Trump’s handling in his first year.
Sixty-one percent of readers said their own financial situations are “much better” or “somewhat better” today than a year ago. Thirty-three percent responded “about the same.”
Military Strength, National Security
Among many of Trump’s promises from before he took office and
after assuming the presidency was “re-establishing the U.S. military as the strongest, most powerful fighting force in the world.”
Readers of The Epoch Times graded Trump positively on establishing military strength and national security, with 96 percent saying they “strongly approve” or “somewhat approve.”
As far as domestic crime rates, a recent report showed the U.S. homicide rate has plunged to a 125-year low, marking Trump’s first year back in office as the biggest one-year drop in murders in recorded history.
Members of the National Guard patrol Constitution Avenue in Washington, D.C, on Aug. 26, 2025. (Win McNamee/Getty Images)
When readers were asked about Trump’s handling of crime reduction and public safety, 95 percent said they “strongly approve” or “somewhat approve.”
On the United States’ position on the world stage, 94 percent of respondents said they “strongly approve” or “somewhat approve” of Trump’s handling of foreign affairs.
Tariffs, Domestic Energy
Readers were asked about Trump’s handling of trade tariffs, reshoring manufacturing, energy independence, and fossil fuel production, economic growth, and job creation. All policy areas received marks of approval.
Ninety-three percent of respondents “strongly approve” or “somewhat approve” of Trump’s tariffs and efforts to reshore manufacturing. U.S. tariff revenue more than doubled year-over-year, according to Customs and Border Protection data.
When grading energy independence and fossil fuel production, 94 percent of readers said they “strongly approve” or “somewhat approve.” Trump’s numerous executive orders signed on his first day in office last year included a presidential action titled “Unleashing American Energy.”
Readers were additionally asked about the president’s approach to economic growth and job creation, with 90 percent saying they “strongly approve” or “somewhat approve.”
The Epoch Times conducted this reader survey on Jan. 22-23, 2026, by email and social media, generating 2,984 responses.
An aerial view of a cargo ship passing by the Cheniere Energy liquefied natural gas plant in Port Arthur, Texas, on Feb. 10, 2025. (Brandon Bell/Getty Images)
