The American president almost always hasHoneymoonFollowing the inauguration, marked with a approval rating of over 50% and over 60%, honeymoon is the perfect time to set an economic and foreign policy agenda and work with Congress to pass the law.
In his first term, Donald Trump became the only president who would not have a true honeymoon. He began his second term with approval rates above 50%, but within three months he was back Underwater With virtually every high quality research.
A poll conducted by the Wall Street Journal found that 52% of respondents disapproved that economic handling (usually strong lawsuits) had not risen by 12 points since October 2024. Reuters/Ipsos polls Found Only 36% of the administration and so-called government efficiency believe they are doing a capable job to reduce the number of federal employees.
Trump's honeymoon seems to have ended. And critics of his policy are becoming more excited, aggressive, visible and vocal.
February, City Hall meeting video It went viral in conservative legislative districts in Wisconsin and Georgia, ruled by angry protesters. As the phenomenon began to spread, House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) – knows that similar “rebellions” in 2009 and 2017 followed by strong backlash against the powerful party in the subsequent midterm elections – I told his colleague To stop scheduling such meetings: “Why give them a forum to do it now?”
Those who proceeded anyway had a hard time reassuring their members. Sen. Roger Marshall (R-Kan.) asked about the dismissal of Doge veterans, saying, “There is no pain, no profit.” “Just hold on,” Senator Steve Womack (R-Wyo.) told a lost federal worker.
democratic anti-programmers including former vice president candidate Gov. Tim Waltz (D-Minn.), It attracted a enthusiastic crowd Appearing in red and purple states. Anti-government advocacy groups are encouraging voters to call Republican politicians' offices to demand that they return to the city hall, and are planning their own “empty chair” meeting.
By the end of March, 60% of Americans Expressed an unfavorable view Of Elon Musk and more than 200 “Tesla Takedown” protests, the majority of them have been peaceful and across the US, “this is how we say we don't fear.” I said One demonstrator. “They can pretend they can do whatever they want,” another declared.
On April 1st, Susan Crawford was elected as Justice for the Wisconsin Supreme Court. A whopping 10 pointsdefeated Brad Simel, supported by Trump and Musk (the latter spent $20 million on the race and handed voters a $1 million check). Vote turnout was higher in all counties in the state than in previous Supreme Court elections. Republicans of Florida I won Two special parliamentary elections in the deep red districts had half the margin in 2024.
On April 2nd, Sen. Cory Booker (DN.J.) finished his longest speech – 25 hours and 5 minutes. Delivered so far On the floor of the US Senate. Booker shared the stories of more than 200 Americans about the impact of the damage that Trump administration's policies have already had on their lives. Accepting the “bad mistake” that led to Trump's election, Booker confesses, “We're all looking in the mirror and saying, 'We'll do better.' “I declared. At least 300,000 people saw the speech online.
On April 5th, hundreds of thousands of people were found in 1,300 locations in all 50 states. A gathering attended “Hands Off!”. They are support Public education, federal health services, abortion rights, and free and fair education. They opposed the tariff war of fraud and inflation, indiscriminate dismissal of civil servants, dismantling federal agencies, reducing safety programs, deporting individuals without legitimate processes of law, and dismantling environmental regulations. The retired teacher from Naperville, Illinois, has not only admitted that she is “sad and sad that we have to do this.”
Meanwhile, Senator Ted Cruz (R-Texas) was opinion Trump's tariff gambling could be the “single biggest determinant” for mid-2026. Cruz added that the recession would “be a bloodshot, politically.” Asked by his podcast co-host how concerned he was on a scale of 1 to 10, Cruz replied, “42.”
On April 9, Trump reversed the course and ordered a 90-day suspension with his “liberation day” mutual tariffs in all countries other than China. Nevertheless, stocks and bond markets that do not like uncertainty remain volatile.
Furthermore, for the post-Honey Moon news, Americans should turn to Cruz and other skittish Republican politicians.
Glenn C. Altschler is Professor Emeritus Thomas and Dorothy Litwin, American Studies at Cornell University.
