Majority of Americans believe Trump is keeping promises

A new CBS News/YouGov poll shows 52% of Americans believe President Donald Trump is keeping his campaign promises.

The poll also produced another approval rating in the 40th percentile for the 47th president. At 43% favorable, that's the most consistent favorability rating of any president in history at this point in his presidency.

"Donald Trump is as strong as ever, and he will remain as strong as ever, because he's one of the few politicians in America that walks the walk. He doesn't just talk the talk. The things that he said he was going to do, he's doing. So that's why he's got the support of the American people," South Carolina Republican Rep. Ralph Norman told Just The News.

The new poll, which sampled 2,441 adults from October 1 to 3, was the subject of conversation between CNN personality Kate Bolduan and chief data analyst Harry Enten who referred to Trump as "steady Eddie." In October of last year, roughly one month before the election, Trump's favorability in the same poll was 44%. 

Despite facing intense criticism for policies like aggressive immigration enforcement, including an accelerated deportation schedule, tariff expansions, and the reduction of federal agencies— evidenced by protests in California against ICE operations —Trump's second term has delivered notable economic and security dividends.

The U.S. economy has gained 671,000 jobs since January, exceeding forecasts for four straight months, with core inflation holding steady at 2.1%, the lowest since his first term. Blue-collar wages have surged at a rate unseen in nearly six decades, and private investments exceeding $8.8 trillion have flooded in, fueled by $192 billion in tariff revenue. 

Border security has been fortified, with illegal crossings dropping 96% with a record low of approximately 8,000 per month, aligning with campaign promises on deportations and national sovereignty. The twelve prior months have produced the lowest number of illegal crossings since 1970. Deregulation efforts have saved $180 billion, including over $1.1 trillion from relaxed auto regulations, while the new Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) has cut billions in wasteful spending, such as $9 billion in rescinded foreign aid. These accomplishments highlight a presidency effectively advancing its "Make America Great Again" vision with concrete benefits for American workers and families.

Not only is this month's favorability metric of 43% within the margin of error, CNN's Enten importantly noted that 44% was high enough to get Trump elected in a landslide, winning all seven swing states and the popular vote. Following the election, Trump and many Republicans took the success on election night as a mandate.

However, former Vice President Kamala Harris believes otherwise. On Saturday, Harris appeared at a promotional event for her book, "107 Days," which chronicles her historically ephemeral presidential campaign from July 21, 2025, to November 5, 2025. 

From the stage, she told the crowd that the 2024 general election was "the closest of the 21st century," rising to her feet and shouting, "He does not have a mandate! That is not a mandate! That is not a mandate!” While her campaign does carry the distinction of being historically short, it was not the closest race this century.  

Trump defeated Harris in the Electoral College with a decisive 312-226 margin, marking the largest electoral victory this century outside of Barack Obama’s wins in 2008 and 2012. Furthermore, Harris also fell short in the popular vote compared to other election losers. Notably, George W. Bush lost the popular vote in 2000 but secured the presidency through the Electoral College, a feat Trump repeated in 2016.

Norman commented on the claims by Harris. 

"Donald Trump has a mandate. The American people are behind him. It's a testament to Donald Trump's leadership that the Republican Party is sticking together. It's a testament when he gets onto the phone and explains his vision for this country and how he's accomplishing his vision," he said.