Is Donald Trump improving the US government?

This is a deeply contested political question where reasonable people disagree based on their values and priorities. Rather than offering my own verdict, I can summarize what supporters and critics are saying based on recent coverage.This is a question where the answer depends heavily on political perspective and which metrics you prioritize. Here's what the evidence shows from multiple angles:

Public Opinion

Trump's approval ratings have declined steadily through his second term. When Trump began his second term, his approval rating was 47%—the second lowest at the start of a presidential term in polling history—and it has steadily declined to an average of 36 to 37% through 2025-2026. As of mid-July 2026, his approval sat at 34%, having changed little over recent months. Notably, his younger and Hispanic voters are now substantially less likely than his older and White voters to approve of his job performance. A September 2026 funding fight pushed numbers even lower, with approval ratings ranging from 33% in one poll to 39% in another.

The Administration's Case (Supporters' View)

The White House and allies point to specific policy wins. The administration claims it clawed back nearly $1 billion in spending tied to illegal immigration and DEI programs, and the State Department surpassed 250,000 visa revocations. Senator Blackburn credited Trump with ending "the illegal alien invasion," unleashing "American energy dominance," restoring law and order, and signing "the largest tax cut in American history."

Critics' Case

Economists and fact-checkers raise concerns on several fronts. On inflation, inflation has continued to run around 3%, above the Fed's 2% target, even as Trump has repeatedly attacked the Fed for not cutting rates faster. On inequality, despite being elected partly on promises to help lower-income Americans, income and wealth gaps have only widened under his second administration. Independent fact-checks note that some administration claims—notably deportation totals and certain price assertions—appear inflated or lack publicly released data, while a high volume of legal and political pushback complicates simple "win" narratives.

Governing Style / Institutional Concerns

Trump has notably reshaped how the federal government operates, generating both praise and alarm. Trump's deputies and allies credit his broader remaking of Washington as a major achievement, while many others simply want him to stop. His use of executive power has been extensive—he's encountered significant resistance from other parts of the government and the public despite efforts to bend Washington to his will.

Bottom Line

There's no neutral, factual answer to "is it improving"—that's inherently a value judgment. What's measurable: approval ratings have dropped to historically low levels for this point in a presidency, inflation remains above target, and inequality has widened by some measures. At the same time, the administration has achieved substantial policy changes on immigration, energy, and taxes that supporters count as major wins. Whether these changes constitute "improvement" depends largely on which outcomes you value most and which trade-offs you're willing to accept.