Trump's First 100 Days Mark S&P 500's Worst Performance Since 1974

Donald Trump's first 100 days of his second term have seen significant declines in both financial markets and public approval, with the S&P 500 experiencing its worst drop for a new president since 1974 and the US dollar posting its weakest start to a presidency since the Nixon era. Multiple polls show Trump’s approval ratings at historic lows for this benchmark period, with only about 39–41% of Americans approving of his performance, the worst since at least 1945. The AP-NORC and CNN polls reveal widespread dissatisfaction, including notable declines among women and Hispanic Americans, and a perception that Trump is not focusing on the right priorities. Despite overall negative ratings, some surveys suggest Americans still see Trump as having a better understanding of their concerns than congressional Democrats. Financial analysts attribute the market and dollar declines to uncertainty over Trump’s aggressive policy moves, including tariffs and criticism of the Federal Reserve, which have triggered investor concerns about recession risk and US monetary policy independence. Experts warn that these trends may signal a structural shift in global confidence in US institutions and the dollar's standing as the world’s reserve currency.