Politics
‘The Worst Is Yet to Come’: Expert Warns Trump Is Making Major Mistake in First 100 Days
By Jake Beardslee · April 21, 2025
Trump Nears 100 Days Amid Doubts Over Second-Term Momentum
As President Donald Trump approaches the 100-day mark of his second term, some political observers are warning that his early momentum may already be faltering. In a recent New York Times op-ed, Doug Sosnick—a veteran political strategist who advised President Bill Clinton and more than 50 governors and U.S. senators—argues that Trump’s fast-paced and sweeping approach to governance is setting the stage for a potentially steep drop in popularity. The White House / Wikimedia
Sosnick: Fast Action Doesn’t Guarantee Long-Term Success
Sosnick contends that Trump has moved rapidly to dismantle portions of the federal government, unravel military and economic alliances forged after World War II, and implement sweeping tariffs that have yet to be felt by the broader public. “A consequential start does not in any way equate to long-term success,” he wrote, pointing to Trump’s already declining approval ratings. Sosnick warns that “if past presidencies are any guide, the worst is yet to come.” The White House / Wikimedia
Sosnick: Early Signs Point to Declining Support for Trump’s Agenda
He notes that Trump remains the only modern president to hold a net negative approval rating at this point in his term—just as he did in 2017. According to Sosnick, this trend could worsen as Americans begin to experience the real-world effects of his policies. “We may well look back on his first 100 days as the prelude to a historically unpopular presidency,” he wrote. The White House / Wikimedia
Presidential Approval Ratings Typically Drop by September
Historically, presidential approval ratings tend to find their footing by early September. Sosnick cites previous examples, including 11-point drops for both Bill Clinton and George W. Bush, a 15-point decline for Barack Obama, and a five-point slide for Trump during his first term. dumitru B / Pexels
Biden’s Decline Offers Cautionary Tale for Trump
Even President Joe Biden, who began his term with a 57% approval rating, saw it fall to 43% by September due to missteps like declaring COVID defeated too soon, the chaotic Afghanistan withdrawal, and surging inflation. Sosnick argues that concerns about Biden’s fitness for office sealed his political fate, ultimately forcing him to exit the 2024 race. The White House / Wikimedia
Sosnick: Trump Faces Unique Risks This Time Around
“Mr. Trump will probably be subject to the same laws of political gravity,” Sosnick added, “but he risks an even steeper fall in job approval by early September because of a combination of factors, some of which he shares with his predecessors and some of which are unique to his presidency.” The White House / Wikimedia
Congressional Support Enables Swift Policy Advancements
Among those unique factors, Sosnick argues, “What is different about Mr. Trump’s presidency this time around, and what makes him even more politically vulnerable, is that the current Republican-controlled Congress has subjugated its role as an independent branch of government to the executive, which has allowed him to pursue his most extreme appointments and policy positions." Pierre Blaché / Pexels
Campaigning vs. Governing: A Familiar Presidential Challenge
“What’s more, Mr. Trump has fallen into the trap — common for newly elected presidents — of not understanding the difference between the spectacle of campaigning and the work of successful governing,” the op-ed claims. The White House / Wikimedia
Chaotic Rollouts Fuel Policy Uncertainty and Economic Jitters
“The failure to properly plan and execute policy has defined his second term,” he wrote, citing the “shambolic rollout” of immigration measures, tariffs, and his Department of Government Efficiency. The resulting uncertainty, Sosnick warns, has left companies hesitant to invest, further stalling economic momentum. The White House / Wikimedia