In the latest chapter of the Trump saga, the self-anointed “Make America Great Again” leader finds himself grappling with a public teetering on the edge of discontent. As Donald Trump clocks in for his second act, his approval ratings have slipped to a precarious 45%, a stark contrast to the raucous fanfare of his first inauguration. It seems that the honeymoon is over, and the citizens are starting to pay attention to the bills racking up from the turbulent ride.

Eager to chart a course through unsteady waters, our Commander-in-Chief appears to be doubling down on familiar promises: immigration reform and trade tariffs! For him, the playbook hasn’t changed much since 2016, and neither has the backdrop of political division. While 93% of Republicans still applaud his policies with the fervor of a high school pep rally, Democrats are busy shaking their heads in contempt, their approval lingering in the single digits like a bad smell on a summer’s day.

Yet the true source of worry emerges from the kitchen table—Americans are feeling the pinch of rising prices, and it’s starting to reflect in the polls. Approval ratings for Trump’s economic stewardship have dipped to just 39%, raising eyebrows and concerns alike. It’s been said that Trump’s “great economy” mantra has been losing steam, and 53% of folks think the nation is heading in the wrong direction. If that doesn’t scare you, perhaps the revelation that inflation is the new four-letter word will.

Meanwhile, in the land of tariffs, Trump’s got his sights set on China, Canada, and Mexico—just the kind of foreign scuffles he seems to favor, labeling their goods as the root of all evil. But here’s the kicker: only 41% of respondents are on board with that trade strategy. In the eyes of the American public, these tariffs look more like a blunt instrument than a finely-tuned economic policy.

And let’s not forget Congress. It’s enjoying a slight bump to 29% approval—a modest uptick that can likely be attributed to Republicans reveling in their newfound power. Yet, who can forget that Congress’s previous ratings were flirting with the dangerously low 20% mark? It’s hard to celebrate a rise when you consider just how low things have fallen.

In a world where many Americans feel stuck between a rock and a hard place, it’s clear that Trump’s second term is shaping up to be a tricky balancing act. With the economy gasping for attention and a populace split along party lines, the question remains: can he turn things around before the public’s patience runs out? Only time will tell, but for now, it looks like Trump is in for a ride as bumpy as a Chicago pothole.

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