President Trump has signed nearly 200 executive orders so far this year. These include efforts to strengthen the U.S. economy through extended reciprocal tariff agreements with all major trading partners—except China.
Despite these efforts, public opinion remains largely negative. A recent poll conducted on July 17 by the Associated Press and the NORC Center shows that 49 percent of Americans believe Trump’s policies have done more harm than good.
Only 25 percent of respondents in that same poll said they had directly benefited from Trump’s policies. This suggests a wide gap between economic intentions and perceived results.
An earlier survey conducted this month reflected even more general discontent. In that poll, 52 percent of Americans said they disapproved of Trump’s overall job performance as president.
This growing dissatisfaction appears to be crossing party lines. Not only are Democrats critical, but some Republicans have also begun questioning Trump’s leadership.
A major source of controversy has been Trump’s handling of the Jeffrey Epstein case. Critics claim that the administration has withheld vital information and avoided full transparency.
While the FBI maintains there is no credible “client list” tying Epstein to other powerful individuals, public suspicion persists. The Bureau also denies any evidence of a blackmail network.
Yet according to a recent Economist/YouGov poll, 67 percent of Americans believe there is an ongoing cover-up regarding Epstein’s connections.
Billionaire tech entrepreneur Elon Musk has further fueled speculation. On Twitter, Musk labeled the Epstein investigation “a cover-up” and noted that none of Epstein’s known associates have faced legal consequences.
His comments have intensified public mistrust in the government and the justice system. With the 2026 election approaching, this could present real challenges for Trump’s campaign.
To regain lost confidence, Trump may need to take bold steps—such as increasing transparency, revisiting tariff strategies, or launching new initiatives. His next decisions could significantly influence public trust and electoral prospects.
