Is Donald Trump improving the US government?

Both sidesSays it is contestedSources conflict

White House sources claim $215 billion in savings from efficiency reforms, while the Partnership for Public Service analysis says actual federal spending has increased despite those claims.

This is a subjective question that people evaluate very differently depending on their political values and priorities, so I can't give a definitive yes/no answer. What I can do is summarize what's been reported about the effects of his policies, and you can weigh that against your own values. Let me pull some current information.This is a question where reasonable people disagree sharply, and the answer really depends on what "improving" means to you and which metrics you value. Here's what the evidence shows from different angles:

The administration's own case

The White House points to specific outcomes it credits to its policies:

•Government efficiency/spending cuts: The Trump Administration's unprecedented government efficiency reforms have already saved an estimated $215 billion — about $1,335 per taxpayer, and approximately 300,000 Federal employees exiting government service in 2025, the largest reduction of the Federal workforce in American history.

•Deregulation: President Trump revoked the Obama-era Endangerment Finding — the single-largest deregulatory action in American history, worth $1.3 trillion, and the government-wide deregulatory mandate is projected to save the U.S. economy $1.5 trillion in FY2026 alone.

•Energy/immigration: The U.S. achieved record domestic oil and gas production in 2025 and record crude and petroleum-product exports in 2026, and set a world LNG export record. On immigration, the Trump Administration immediately ended "catch-and-release" — and has not released a single illegal alien into the country for 15 straight months.

•Economy: Treasury data shows business investment rose by nearly 10% at an annual rate over the first half of 2026, employment growth accelerated in the second quarter with 334,000 net new jobs added, and worker wage growth continues to outpace inflation while unemployment remains low.

Independent/critical assessments

Not everyone agrees the "efficiency" push has actually worked:

•A watchdog analysis found that despite claims by the Trump White House that cuts in the workforce and programs saved money for taxpayers, the actual money spent by the federal government has increased since the administration took office, and the cuts have greatly harmed the economy and created new, unintended costs.

•The same survey found sharp partisan splits: supporters overwhelmingly see the efforts as successful—90% say the administration has been effective in making government more efficient compared with only 9% of opponents.

•Some analysts argue the budget and reorganization moves weaken institutional checks, noting reducing Inspector General oversight budgets while centralizing policy enforcement under GSA with expanded authority diminishes institutional checks and balances.

Public opinion (as of September 2026)

Polling suggests most Americans currently disapprove of his job performance:

•Throughout 2025 to 2026, Trump's approval rating has steadily declined to an average of 37 to 39%, with an aggregate as of Sept. 18 showing an average of 38.0% approve versus 59.6% disapprove.

•A Reuters/Ipsos poll found Trump's approval rating fell to 32% - the lowest of his political career - as his fellow Republicans soured on his handling of the cost of living amid the unpopular Iran war.

•Even among his own base, support is softening: Trump's approval rating among Republicans has declined from 89% to 75% since April 2025, and his approval rating among 2024 Trump voters is down 10 points.

•Cost of living remains the dominant public concern: the cost of living [is] the most important issue in the upcoming midterms, with a plurality (47%) saying it's their top concern, while Trump continues to log poor ratings on his handling of the economy—71% disapproval/22% approval.

Bottom line

There's a real split between the administration's self-reported metrics (spending "savings," deregulation, energy production, border numbers) and both watchdog analyses disputing some of those savings claims, and broad public opinion polling showing declining approval, especially on cost-of-living issues. Whether you see this as "improvement" likely depends on whether you prioritize deregulation/downsizing government and border enforcement versus concerns about institutional oversight, actual spending levels, and affordability. I'd encourage looking at primary data (BLS/BEA economic releases, GAO/IG reports on specific agency cuts) if you want to form your own view on specific policy areas rather than relying on either side's framing.

Citations (15)

1whitehouse.govGovernment
President Trump Delivers Historic Results for the American People in Under Two Years – The White House
Source excerpt: “President Trump’s government-wide ... unprecedented government efficiency reforms have already saved an estimated $215 billion — about $1,335 per taxp...”
statistic, official document, points to yes. Claim: Administration says efficiency reforms saved an estimated $215 billion, about $1,335 per taxpayer.
2whitehouse.govGovernment
ap 5 management fy2027
Source excerpt: “Significant progress has al- ready been made in this effort, with approximately 300,000 Federal employees exiting government service in 2025, the la...”
statistic, official document, points to yes. Claim: Approximately 300,000 federal employees exited government service in 2025, the largest workforce reduction in American history.
3whitehouse.govGovernment
President Trump Delivers Historic Results for the American People in Under Two Years – The White House
Source excerpt: “President Trump revoked the Obama-era Endangerment Finding — the single-largest deregulatory action in American history, worth $1.3 trillion. Presiden...”
statistic, official document, points to yes. Claim: Revoking the Endangerment Finding described as largest deregulatory action, worth $1.3 trillion; deregulation projected to save $1.5 trillion.
4whitehouse.govGovernment
President Trump Delivers Historic Results for the American People in Under Two Years – The White House
Source excerpt: “The U.S. achieved record domestic oil and gas production in 2025 and record crude and petroleum-product exports in 2026. America set a world liquified...”
evidence, official document, points to yes. Claim: Record domestic oil and gas production in 2025, record exports in 2026, and a world LNG export record.
5whitehouse.govGovernment
President Trump Delivers Historic Results for the American People in Under Two Years – The White House
Source excerpt: “The Trump Administration immediately ended “catch-and-release” — and has not released a single illegal alien into the country for 15 straight months. ”
evidence, official document, points to yes. Claim: Administration ended catch-and-release and has released no illegal alien for 15 straight months.
6treasury.govGovernment
Economy Statement for the Treasury Borrowing Advisory Committee | U.S. Department of the Treasury
Source excerpt: “Business investment rose by nearly 10% at an annual rate over the first half of 2026, driven by investments in new equipment and intellectual property...”
statistic, official document, points to yes. Claim: Treasury data shows business investment rose nearly 10% annualized in first half of 2026, with job growth accelerating.
7ourpublicservice.orgNonprofits and think tanks
Steady Opposition: Public disapproval of Trump administration funding and workforce cuts remains strong - Partnership for Public Service
Source excerpt: “Despite claims by the Trump White House that cuts in the workforce and programs saved money for taxpayers, the actual money spent by the federal gover...”
evidence, article, points to no. Claim: Watchdog analysis found actual federal spending increased despite claimed savings, and cuts harmed the economy and created unintended costs.
8ourpublicservice.orgNonprofits and think tanks
Steady Opposition: Public disapproval of Trump administration funding and workforce cuts remains strong - Partnership for Public Service
Source excerpt: “Supporters overwhelmingly see the efforts as successful—90% say the administration has been effective in making government more efficient compared wit...”
statistic, article, neutral. Claim: Survey shows partisan split: 90% of supporters versus 9% of opponents say the administration made government more efficient.
9substack.comBlogs and newsletters
by embedding restrictive anti progressive
Source excerpt: “Accountability Weakening Reducing Inspector General oversight budgets (keeping them flat amid inflation) and centralizing policy enforcement under GSA...”
attribution, article, points to no. Claim: Some analysts argue reduced Inspector General budgets and centralized GSA enforcement weaken institutional checks and balances.
10wikipedia.orgEncyclopedias and referencequality 0.83
Opinion polling on the second Trump presidency
Source excerpt: “Throughout 2025 to 2026, Trump's approval rating has steadily declined to an average of 37 to 39%. ”
statistic, reference entry, points to no. Claim: Trump's approval rating has declined to an average of 37 to 39% across 2025 to 2026.
11wikipedia.orgEncyclopedias and referencequality 0.83
Opinion polling on the second Trump presidency
Source excerpt: “| Aggregator | Updated | Approve | Disapprove | Unsure/Other | Lead | |---|---|---|---|---|---| | Ballotpedia | September 18, 2026 | 40.0% | 58.0% | 2...”
statistic, reference entry, points to no. Claim: Aggregate as of Sept. 18 shows about 38% approve versus 59.6% disapprove.
12usnews.comNews and mediaquality 0.90
Exclusive-Trump Approval Falls to Record Low of 32% as High Costs Bite, Reuters/Ipsos Poll Finds
Source excerpt: “WASHINGTON, Sept 21 (Reuters) - President Donald Trump's approval rating fell to 32% - the lowest ⁠of ⁠his political career - as his fellow Repub...”
statistic, article, points to no. Claim: Reuters/Ipsos poll found approval fell to 32%, lowest of his career, as Republicans soured on cost of living.
13usnews.comNews and mediaquality 0.90
Exclusive-Trump Approval Falls to Record Low of 32% as High Costs Bite, Reuters/Ipsos Poll Finds
Source excerpt: “REUTERS/Evan Vucci ... WASHINGTON, Sept 21 (Reuters) - President Donald Trump's approval rating fell to 32% - the lowest ⁠of ⁠his political career - a...”
evidence, article, points to no. Claim: Republicans soured on handling of cost of living amid the unpopular Iran war.
14forbes.comNews and mediaquality 0.83
Trump Approval Rating: Sinks To Low Points In 2 Latest Polls
Source excerpt: “Trump’s approval rating among Republicans has declined from 89% to 75% since April 2025, and his approval rating among 2024 Trump voters is down 10 po...”
statistic, article, points to no. Claim: Approval among Republicans fell from 89% to 75% since April 2025; 2024 Trump voters down 10 points.
15forbes.comNews and mediaquality 0.83
Trump Approval Rating: Sinks To Low Points In 2 Latest Polls
Source excerpt: “The poll reaffirmed the cost of living as the most important issue in the upcoming midterms, with a plurality (47%) saying it’s their top concern, whi...”
statistic, article, points to no. Claim: Cost of living is top midterm concern for 47%; Trump's economic handling at 71% disapproval, 22% approval.