How long will Trump's honeymoon last?
The first days of a presidency are often the best


It's called the "honeymoon": the first days and weeks of a new administration when a freshly elected president is most popular and, perhaps, most powerful. This is President Donald Trump's second honeymoon. The question now is if he can make it last.
Trump "finally is getting" a political honeymoon, Marc Thiessen said at The Washington Post. When he first took office in 2017, his election was treated as a "fluke, or even the product of a conspiracy with Russia." That's no longer the case. Now? More Democrats are "publicly declaring their willingness" to work with the new administration. If that's really the case, Trump "might finally get the presidency he should have had in 2017."
The new president "continues to see some of the most positive ratings of his political career," said CNN. Most Americans — 56% — expect him to do a good job in his second term, compared to just 48% who had such feelings when he took office in 2017. Just 46% of the public has a "favorable" view of Trump, two points behind those with an unfavorable view. Those are his "best numbers" since right after the 2016 election. But history suggests that "this honeymoon period will wear off," said CNN.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
New presidents get 'benefit of the doubt'
The honeymoon "won't last," said Noah Berlatsky at Public Notice. Trump has "never had high approval ratings," and it's unlikely that his policies and accomplishments will help push them higher. The beginning of a term is "when voters and other politicians give the president the benefit of the doubt." But Trump has "no discipline, no knowledge of or interest in good government, and supports wildly unpopular policies" and those elements will combine to end his honeymoon sooner than later.
Trump's early support "could easily evaporate" if he doesn't quickly meet the expectations of supporters, said the University of Sydney's Samuel Garrett at The Conversation. Polls show that voters are still worried about inflation, and just 20% believe the country is headed in the right direction. Half of Americans expect prices to come down. Trump "runs the risk of losing public support" if his early actions "do not produce substantive change."
'More momentum than ever'
"It might be all downhill from here" as Trump and Republicans shift from opposition to the "hard realities" of running government, said Nick Catoggio at The Dispatch. Even if Trump fulfills his promises, some Americans might decide "they liked his plans more in theory than in practice."
But Trump is "not a normal politician," said Newsweek. His first term proved tempestuous and he has promised to "go hard" in his second term. Trump's latest favorability ratings are an improvement for him but "his approval rating is still low" compared to other new presidents, said American University's Allan Lichtman. That might be no obstacle, said University College London's Thomas Gift: Trump has "more momentum than ever."
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Joel Mathis is a writer with 30 years of newspaper and online journalism experience. His work also regularly appears in National Geographic and The Kansas City Star. His awards include best online commentary at the Online News Association and (twice) at the City and Regional Magazine Association.
-
Kill the Boer: Elon Musk and the anti-apartheid song
Under the radar Billionaire reignites controversy by linking South African 'struggle song' to 'white genocide'
By Elizabeth Carr-Ellis, The Week UK Published
-
Critics’ choice: Restaurants worthy of their buzz
feature A fun bistro, a reservation worth the wait, and a modern twist on Mexican dishes
By The Week US Published
-
Film reviews: Snow White, Death of a Unicorn, and The Alto Knights
Feature A makeover for Disney’s first animated feature, greedy humans earn nature’s wrath, and a feud between crime bosses rattles the mob
By The Week US Published
-
Detentions and hostile treatment: is it safe to visit the US?
The Explainer Spate of interrogations and deportations at US border sparking decline in overseas visitors
By The Week UK Published
-
Why are student loan borrowers falling behind on payments?
Today's Big Question Delinquencies surge as the Trump administration upends the program
By Joel Mathis, The Week US Published
-
WHCA rejects White House press seating grab
Speed Read The White House Correspondents' Association objected to the Trump administration's bid to control where journalists sit during press briefings
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
Trump sends more migrants to El Salvador jail
Speed Read Another 17 Venezuelan alleged gang members have been deported to a notorious prison
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Law firms: Caving to White House pressure
Feature Trump targets major law firms tied to his past investigations
By The Week US Published
-
Rule of law: Are we in a constitutional crisis?
Feature Donald Trump defies federal court order to halt deportation flights to El Salvador
By The Week US Published
-
Trump 'not joking' about unconstitutional 3rd term
Speed Read The president seems to be serious about seeking a third term in 2028
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Why does Donald Trump want Greenland?
The Explainer Trump is not the only US president who has tried to gain control of Greenland
By The Week UK Published