Three months of Trump: His popularity is the lowest for a US president's first three months in office.

Three months were enough to sink Trump's popularity: he has the worst presidential start of any American president in 80 years.

Donald Trump has returned to the White House, but he has not recupHe has lost public support. According to the Gallup poll, his approval rating in this first quarter barely reaches 45%. This is the worst figure for any American president in his first three months in office since 1945, with one exception: himself, in his first term, when he started with 41%.

A below-average historical record

The historical average presidential approval rating during the first 90 days is 60%. Presidents like John F. Kennedy and Dwight Eisenhower exceeded 70%, while Carter, Obama, and Reagan hovered between 60% and 69%. Even Biden, Bush Sr. and Jr., and Bill Clinton ranged between 55% and 58%. Only Trump, twice, has dipped below 50%.

This low popularity is not surprising given the context. His return to power has been marked by controversial decisions, an aggressive tone, and measures that have caused financial instability. On April 2, he announced a new wave of widespread tariffs, which shook markets and weakened the dollar. Although he partially backed down on April 9 and relaxed some conditions, volatility continues.

An economy under tension

The effects of the tariff announcement were quickly felt. The stock market fell, Treasury bonds suffered, and consumer confidence began to plummet. Several economists warn of a possible recession, driven by uncertainty, fears of inflation, and a loss of economic momentum.

Despite Trump's insistence on his ability as an economic leader, the numbers don't back him up. Only 44% of those surveyed say they trust him to make good decisions for the economy. Of that total, only 30% say they have a lot of confidence. In contrast, 55% say they have little or no confidence.

By comparison, Bush, Obama, and Biden began their presidencies with economic confidence levels above 50%. Trump, in his first term, barely reached 48%. Now, in his second attempt, it's fallen to 44%.

Partisan support, but a divided country

Support for Trump remains overwhelming within the Republican Party. 90% of voters approve of his performance. In contrast, only 4% of Democrats support him. Among independents, his approval rating has stagnated at 37%, nine points lower than at the start of his term in January.

This sharp polarization is striking across all indicators. The president's economic management, foreign policy, civil rights, and personal style divide the population like never before.

Protests and citizen rejection grow

On April 5, tens of thousands of protesters filled Fifth Avenue in New York City under the slogan "Hands off." It was the largest mobilization against Trump since his return to power, but not the only one. Protests took place in cities like Chicago, Salt Lake City, and rural areas of Texas. The protests have grown in strength and number, even exceeding the expectations of the authorities themselves.

The demands are multiple: civil rights, immigration, science, education, healthcare, the press, and basic freedoms. Added to this is outrage over the cuts pushed through by his administration, with the support of figures like Elon Musk, who is now more politically active.

At the same time, the Democratic Party is beginning to show signs of reorganization. Rallies led by figures like Bernie Sanders and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez are bringing together thousands of people under messages against the oligarchy and corruption. Others, like Senator Corey Booker, are seeking to make their presence felt with speeches of symbolic resistance. Also emerging are leaders like that of young Congressman Maxwell Frost, who is calling for an end to political apathy.

Justice and institutional checks and balances

Since January, more than 200 lawsuits have been filed against Trump administration decisions. Nearly 75 have already forced the president to halt certain measures. Groups such as Democracy Forward and Public Citizen celebrate the fact that, at least for now, the courts are acting as a check on executive power.

However, the effective enforcement of court rulings is in question. Trump has ignored several rulings, leading some judges to threaten to hold his administration in contempt.

Some universities and companies are also beginning to publicly resist. Harvard, for example, has decided not to give in to pressure from the executive branch, marking a symbolic turning point.

Cracks within the Republican Party

Although most Republican members of Congress continue to support Trump, cracks are beginning to appear. Senator Lisa Murkowski has publicly denounced the president's "illegal" actions and expressed fear of internal party retaliation. "We're all scared," she admitted, according to the Anchorage Daily News. "That's not right," she added.

Adding to this is criticism from the business world. Major investors like Bill Ackman have pressured Trump to curb his tariff policy, warning of the negative effects on Wall Street and global confidence.

Meanwhile, states like California have taken the president's trade policy to court, accusing him of violating the separation of powers. Even libertarian and conservative groups like the New Civil Liberties Alliance, linked to Charles Koch and Leonard Leo, have joined the lawsuits.

In just three months, Trump has achieved what seemed improbable: uniting progressives, moderates, libertarians, and even sections of his own party against him. The question is how much further the coalition of power that currently keeps him in the White House will crack.