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Tide turning against President Donald Trump over economic record since returning to power, with just 35 percent of voters saying he has made an improvement in new survey
President Donald Trump observes the first anniversary of his return to the White House Tuesday but does so in a highly fraught moment, facing problems on multiple fronts.
A year on from his swearing-in at the Capitol Rotunda on January 20, 2025, half of voters now say Trump has made the economy worse, compared to just 35 percent who see an improvement under his stewardship, according to the latest Wall Street Journal poll of American citizens. Meanwhile, his approval rating continues to languish.
The president is also engaged in a heated feud with his European allies over his threat to impose steeper tariffs unless they support his determination to acquire Greenland, which he insists must become a U.S. territory in the interests of national security.
Tensions also continue to rage in Minneapolis over the surge of federal immigration agents into Minnesota in support of Trump’s crackdown on undocumented migrants, which have boiled over into mass protests following the fatal shooting of Renee Good, a 37-year-old mother-of-three, earlier this month.
The president will set out for the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, later today where his remarks Wednesday will be closely watched.
Voices: Trump is xenophobic and paranoid – and he’s too old to change his mind about anything
The president will turn 80 in July, with a worldview fixed decades ago.
As he marks one year of his second term in power, it is clear he hankers for the good old days.
But his refusal to move with the times will cost him – and the rest of us – dear, writes Eric Lewis.
Joe Sommerlad20 January 2026 13:40
Long read: Psychiatrists warned about Trump – so is the White House chief of staff the one person who can rein him in?
In The Dangerous Case of Donald Trump, dozens of mental health experts warned that aspects of his personality could pose a danger in high office.
A year into his second term, some of those observations feel more relevant than ever. Alex Hannaford speaks to social psychiatrist and the book’s editor, Bandy Lee, about who, if anyone, can rein him in.
Psychiatrists warned about Trump – is this the one person who can rein him in?
In ‘The Dangerous Case of Donald Trump’, dozens of mental health experts warned that aspects of his personality could pose a danger in high office. A year into his second term, some of those observations feel more relevant than ever. Alex Hannaford speaks to social psychiatrist and the book’s editor, Bandy Lee, about who, if anyone, can rein him in
Joe Sommerlad20 January 2026 13:20
World leaders gather in Davos as Trump’s Greenland threats loom large
Political leaders, CEOs and opinion-makers have arrived at Davos, Switzerland, ahead of the World Economic Forum with mounting trade tensions between the U.S. and Europe set to dominate discussions after Trump’s renewed tariff threats.
Here’s Stuti Mishra to set the scene.
Joe Sommerlad20 January 2026 13:00
White House endures a year of gold leaf and wrecking balls as Trump plays decorator-in-chief
The president has made significant alterations to the White House itself since last January, notably decking out the Oval Office in gold trim.
The process culminated with the brutal demolition of the East Wing to make way for his lavish new ballroom, which shocked many.
Here’s Andrew Feinberg on the King Midas of interior decoration.
Joe Sommerlad20 January 2026 12:40
Analysis: How Donald Trump broke Congress and rendered ‘separation of powers’ meaningless in just a year
Republicans have largely rolled over for Trump while those who criticized him, like Marjorie Taylor Greene, have seen their political careers all but ended, Eric Garcia writes from Capitol Hill.
Joe Sommerlad20 January 2026 12:20
Does JD Vance have what it takes to assume the MAGA mantle?
Trump’s base is leaning towards the vice president to take over leadership of the right in 2028.
But, asks John Bowden, does he have the juice?
Joe Sommerlad20 January 2026 12:00
Analysis: One year in, Trump 2.0 has made reality optional
In the first year of Trump’s second presidency, events that once would have halted politics entirely now pass with barely a pause, writes Holly Baxter.
After 12 months of nonstop provocation and unreality, the most unsettling feature of it all is not what has happened, but how quickly Americans have learned to absorb it – and move on.
One year in, Trump 2.0 has made reality optional
In the first year of Trump’s second presidency, events that once would have halted politics entirely now pass with barely a pause, writes Holly Baxter. After 12 months of nonstop provocation and unreality, the most unsettling feature of Trump’s second presidency is not what has happened, but how quickly Americans have learned to absorb it — and move on
Joe Sommerlad20 January 2026 11:40
‘I’m a White House reporter. Here’s the side of the Trump administration you don’t see on TV’
The Independent’s White House correspondent Andrew Feinberg looks back on a year of overhaul in the White House press briefing room – and how Trump II flipped the script in handling the media.
Joe Sommerlad20 January 2026 11:20
Watch: Trump talks Greenland, Putin and peace prizes
Looking ahead to Davos, this is what the president had to tell reporters last night before boarding Air Force One to return to the White House.
Joe Sommerlad20 January 2026 11:00
Mapped: Every country Trump has attacked or threatened, from Iraq to Greenland, in a year of ‘America First’
Despite a worldwide backlash, the president continues to embrace an aggressive foreign policy agenda.
Maira Butt reports on the countries Trump has targeted in his first 12 months back in office – and where could be next.
Joe Sommerlad20 January 2026 10:45
Originally published at The Independent
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