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How readers graded Trump’s first 100 days: ‘Worst in American history’
Nearly 1,500 readers react to Trump’s early days — and they didn't hold back.
In the first 100 days of President Donald Trump’s second term, his administration enacted swift and sweeping changes across the country – changes most Boston.com readers say are for the worse.
“I think you can make a reasonably convincing argument that from a political, social, legal, and financial standpoint, this has been the worst 100 days in American history,” reader Ben from Wellesley said. “I had little doubt this administration was going to take us into some pretty rough territory, but wow. They’ve exceeded expectations in all of the worst possible ways.”
When we asked readers to weigh in on the administration’s early performance, the verdict was swift and damning. An overwhelming majority (71%) of the more than 1,470 respondents graded the president’s performance with an “F.”
As Donald Trump reaches his first 100 days in office on April 30, 2025, how would you grade his presidency so far?
A
18%
B
3%
C
2%
D
6%
F
71%
The responses we received paint a picture of widespread frustration, fear, and disbelief over the state of the country since Trump resumed office on Jan. 20, 2024.
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Many readers expressed that their worst expectations have not only been met, but exceeded.
“I expected it to be bad and actually it has been much, much worse,” wrote Kathy M. of Quincy.
Disillusionment also came from those who initially had hope for Trump’s return. “I had high hopes for this president. Instead we have had the most disorganized administration in history,” Dennis from Boston said. “All this uncertainty and lack of direction. It’s embarrassing.”
Others cited specific grievances, like the economic turmoil and damage to U.S. alliances as a result of Trump’s reciprocal tariff plans, among other issues facing the country nationally.
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“In 100 days Trump and Musk have destroyed the economy, traumatized our immigrant community and destroyed education and human services,” said Maureen C. from Raymond, New Hampshire. “They alienated our international friends and set us on a horrible path.”
Indeed, 59% of Americans disapprove of Trump’s tariff increases, while 39% approve, according to a Pew Research Center survey conducted in early April.
Some readers didn’t mince words about the historic impact of these first 100 days. “Life is so much worse than it was 100 days ago. Our country is hardly recognizable,” Bill from Watertown said.
As the administration continues to roll out its agenda, these early impressions from our readers suggest that for many in New England, the Trump presidency has already worn out its welcome – again.
Below, readers share how they graded Trump’s first 100 days in office.
Responses have been lightly edited for grammar and clarity.
As Donald Trump reaches his first 100 days in office, how would you grade his presidency so far?
F
“I gave Trump an ‘F’ because, as a senior, I am having nightmares about my social security being cut, as Musk has promised to do. I am very stressed out by my retirement fund taking a huge hit on the stock market. I am horrified to see people losing their civil rights and being grabbed off the streets with no criminal charges. I am mortified and concerned to see foreign relations with our allies destroyed, possibly for good. I am very angry to see educational programs being cut, and furious to see higher education attacked. I am shocked to see medical research being slashed, including research into cancer, Alzheimer’s and other diseases. I am frustrated at environmental regulations being cut, and the U.S. pulling out of the Paris accords. I am livid to see women’s access to necessary healthcare, including abortion care, being restricted or prohibited. I am frightened at the authoritarian turn this country is taking. And above all, I am heartbroken to see the America I love being destroyed step by step.” – Jennifer, Peabody
“I have a profoundly disabled autistic child, two senior parents with chronic medical issues in assisted living, and a scientist husband who was recently furloughed because the NIH grant for his lab (researching a cure for HIV in children) is being illegally withheld. I work two full-time jobs to just cover the bills, and the costs of everything keeps going up. It certainly seems to me this administration is actively trying to destroy my family so that a handful of billionaires can pay even less taxes. It feels like they don’t value human life.” – Emma, Shrewsbury
“Although I agree on some overall philosophies, Trump has grossly over reached and has become just a disruptor without a plan. He should be impeached for incompetence and negligence for his actions. We don’t need a despotic king, we need a president that works with the other two branches of government.” – Mike, Seacoast, New Hampshire
“This administration deserves lower than an F. Trump has created a trade war with the entire world, without a care for how this would affect Americans and inflation. There is zero strategy in terms of these tariffs. ICE is arresting those lawfully residing in America and shipping them off to a dystopian prison in El Salvador. Trump is defying court order and effectively, creating a constitutional crisis. DOGE has fired thousands of federal workers while the government gives Elon’s Tesla massive government subsidies. Trump is actively on Putin’s side, not our ally Ukraine’s. America is in a much worse place than we were on Jan. 19, 2025.” – Jessica D., Canton
“Decorum. Empathy. Inclusivity. Economic responsibility. Humanity. Immigration. Climate action. Global alliances. Democratic values. Healthcare. Basic rights and due process. These are all areas where Trump has failed – spectacularly. Rather than uphold these principles, he has aggressively eroded civic institutions, undermined public trust, and aligned himself with oligarchs and a roster of toxic figures – his cabinet, his staff, and those he proudly associates with: Elon Musk, Conor McGregor, the Tate brothers, and so many more. A parade of problematic personalities fueling the very real rise of an authoritarian state. I’ve never been more embarrassed and frightened to be an American.” – Patrick M., Providence, Rhode Island
“The economy is worse. He has not ended any of the international conflicts that still rage, despite his assertions that he could solve the world’s problems in a day. He is attacking free speech and basic American rights. He is bullying and alienating our more cherished allies. He is ignoring the Constitutionally-established balance of power within our government by steamrolling Congress and ignoring the courts. He is obsessed with former President Biden, who is living rent free in Trump’s head despite staying out of the spotlight. The only campaign promise he has kept so far is immigration enforcement, which is being done with such haste that legal problems and mistakes have abounded. Biden was not a good president, but our standing in the world is the worst it has been in my lifetime.” – J.D., South Shore
“It has been a show of incompetence. Everything he has done is questionably legal and now is going to get tied up in the courts. He has hurt our economy by creating arbitrary tariffs and not understanding how globalization works. His immigration policy has targeted people without criminal records who have opinions he disagrees with. He has hurt our universities and colleges that drive innovation and bring in global talent. He also has not used his legislative mandate to pass anything meaningful. Failing grade all around.” – Robert, New Hampshire
“As a business owner, this has been the most challenging presidency I’ve experienced in my 51 years. The environment has been defined by unpredictability and uncertainty. I expected a pro-business agenda – but what we’ve seen has been anything but.” – Dan, South Boston
“He is using the office to: enrich himself; gratuitously manipulate the stock market; disappear immigrants; roll back free speech rights; slowly turn the country into a police state using ICE. He also has diminished the country on the world stage, using his office to placate autocrats and wannabe autocrats such as Putin, Bukele, and Netanyahu. The status of the US dollar as the world’s reserve currency is in jeopardy for the first time ever. He continues to disobey the Supreme Court while claiming he has reverence and respect for it. These are the actions of an autocrat.
Further, what he has done to the structure of the government itself will take generations to really fix. I don’t think we will be able to truly see the damage he has done until a member of a different party assumes office. This is all so very morally corrupt and illegal.” – P.H., Somerville
D
“The changes he is making feel like they are being done too quickly with too little thought and planning. His tariff proposals are at best disruptive to our market, and at worst are totally manipulating the market. Furthermore he constantly says and does things that are arguably unconstitutional.” – Matt O., Brockton
“The current administration’s stance on tariffs, with the ‘on again, off again’ implementation of seemingly random reprimand of trading partners has caused great concern in the stock market, which of course has direct effects on the average consumer. Retail markets are unsure of the reliability of the supply chain, and of future costs based on tariffs, and volatility in the bond and stock market all have a direct and ominous effect on people’s spending strength, and retirement accounts, sometimes permanently damaging their portfolios.
“The current administration would be best served by engaging in a slow, steady, well thought out plan of economic growth, negotiating with our trading partners with a vision to long term mutual benefit, rather than the apparent ‘scorched earth’ strategy they are currently engaged in.” – Patrick B., Cambridge
“I didn’t give him an F because he was elected by millions of people, so he’s doing some things they elected him to do, even if I don’t agree they are the right things the president should be focusing on, or how they should focus on issues that I do believe should be focused on.” – David F., Somerville
“The biggest problem before the election was the economy in America. The biggest problem right now is still the economy.” Mark C., Dudley
C
“He is trying to go against the rules and establishment of checks and balances established by our forefathers. I get the reduction of governments, but go about it properly.” – Ed D., Seekonk
“In some ways he’s good (i.e. border control). In other ways, like with Elon Musk and his firing of government workers, he offends too many people.” – Edmond N., Acton
B
“His immigration policy is spot on. The tariffs fluctuating is annoying.” – Jo-Jo P., Malden
“Trump’s notion of excising corruption is exceptional as is his attempt to address the immigrant issue. His tariff approach, while clearly an attempt to gain negotiating leverage, has serious negative implications if handled wrong. His foreign policy approach has issues, certainly with regard to his support of Israel’s genocidal approach to Gaza, but is well applied regarding the last 20 years of neoconservative madness.” – Sean H., Hingham
“While he might go about it in the wrong way, it’s refreshing to see a president cut through all the waste. I wish we would do the same here in MA and actually conduct the audit that voters passed.” – Molly, Danvers
“I voted for Mr. Trump to solve the immigration issue and help America bring down the $36 trillion in debt we have. We as a country pay close to 1 trillion a year in interest on this debt, which we cannot maintain. He has disappointed me in the way he has handled some issues but something drastic needs to happen to clean up government fraud. I hope at the end we end up united as a country.” – Deran M., Belmont
“I like what he’s doing, but would like a deal made with China regarding tariffs.” – Scott A., Claremont, New Hampshire
A
“He is doing what he promised. Someone needs to make the hard choices to get this country back on track and out of debt.” – Abe S., Hyde Park
“I like that he hit the ground running. Trying to fix issues neglected for decades.” – Kevin B., Worcester
“He has done more for the American people in 100 days than Biden and Kamala’s last 4 years! Regardless of political affiliation we should all be applauding efforts to stop government fraud, waste and corruption.” – Steve, Boston
“Trump has followed through on the promises he made during his campaign. This is what the majority of Americans voted for, and it’s exactly what they’re seeing delivered. While his approach may be unconventional, it has proven effective—and is poised to continue driving prosperity for the American people.” – Mike P., Hamilton
“The border is being secured, no new wars starting, overspending on the economy is being addressed. So far, so good.” – Jim, Gloucester
“He’s tough on immigration, trade, and forcing businesses to build in America.” – Brian, Hanson
Boston.com occasionally interacts with readers by conducting informal polls and surveys. These results should be read as an unscientific gauge of readers’ opinion.
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