While Donald Trump has enjoyed his highest approval ratings as president so far, national polls show that young voters are increasingly disapproving of his policies. And Lincoln Park students seem to reflect that change.

President Trump has been in office for around a month, and he wasted no time getting his term rolling. With his most controversial ally, head of the Department of Government Efficiency, billionaire Elon Musk, he’s put in place multiple policies already. These policies cover issues spanning from immigration to DEI (Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion.) 

Trump’s approval ratings started out astonishingly high in the first few weeks of his presidency, but after moves like these, they’ve taken quite the hit in later dates – especially among younger voters. According to a YouGov/Economist poll, Trump’s approval rating among voters aged 18 to 30 dropped from 50 to 39 percent over the course of just two weeks in late January and early February.

At Lincoln Park, even some former Trump supporters disagree with how things have gone so far.

“I definitely disagree with a lot of it,” said junior pre-law major Mark Veon from Beaver Falls. “The government efficiency program – or whatever it is – didn’t make any sense because he added another department to get rid of the departments. It’s just contradictory, I think.”

“I don’t like that Elon Musk is in there. That’s strange that he’s in charge of so much and he wasn’t even elected,” Veon added. “I think he’s kind of running it like a business. It’s all about money, money, money. I don’t really agree with all that.”

Another controversy is Trump’s decision to include billionaire, Tesla CEO, and owner of the social media platform X, Elon Musk, in his cabinet. Musk made his debut at a celebratory rally after Trump’s inauguration at the Capital One Arena in Washington, D.C, where he went viral for allegedly performing the Nazi salute. Since the incident, all eyes have remained on the billionaire-turned-politician.

Zachary Clingenpeel, a senior media major from Ambridge, criticized Trump’s “complete and utter disregard for the authority of Congress.” Clingenpeel said the only thing that would make him change his mind about Trump is if he “starts respecting the authority of other government branches.”

Some people, on the other hand, say that there’s nothing Trump can do that will change their minds about him.

“I feel like there are a lot of worse problems that he could be focusing on right now,” said sophomore media major Eli Sheffield of Sharon. “I just think it’s kind of stupid that he’s focusing on, like, transgender women in sports when some of us can’t afford groceries.”

Others had an even more visceral reaction.

Emily Moose, a senior media major from Crafton, believes Trump “can’t be redeemable. He’s gross, and his feelings towards certain individuals are gross and makes me want to cry sometimes.”

On the contrary, some students are in the minority and support Trump’s moves so far.

Senior music major Ethan McNellis of New Castle said he agrees with “most of” Trump’s policies, including his deportation program. 

“I think I’m huge on that. I think we should be here legally,” said McNellis, who also supports Trump’s Cabinet picks, many of whom have been controversial.

“I also think all the changes we’re doing [are] good. You know, he’s changing everyone in office…he’s getting new people in there. People that aren’t qualified are getting out. 

“If you can’t tell,” McNellis added, “I’m not very liberal.”

Some students find themselves conflicted on who and what to support.

Athena Tomsic, a sophomore media major from Moon, said that she feels “kind of neutral. I feel like there’s some positives that he’s doing. I feel honestly like building the wall kind of things is, like, whatever.”

Tomsic also approved of Trump’s immigration policies, stating “I feel like it’s good to keep people out that are, like, bringing drugs into our country and illegal stuff.”

However, Tomsic disapproves of Trump’s alleged discrimination. 

“But, also, I don’t like how he’s being discriminatory against, like, people who are Hispanic and people who want to come here for freedom that just want jobs, and he’s kicking them out.”

Jed Wright, a sophomore music major from Burgettstown, said that he mostly supports Trump but disagrees with some of his policies.

“So far, I sort of approve of some of the things, but I feel, like, it’s 75-25,” Wright shared. 

“Some of the stuff I really like what he’s done, such as the removal of, like, government censorship. But other things, like some of the tariffs he’s imposed [I don’t like]. Mostly, I mean, I’m fine with what he’s done.”

According to an average of various polls from multiple different sources taken by Real Clear Politics, Trump’s ratings began at a relatively even split of 48 percent approval vs. 45 percent disapproval in January. In February, however, Trump’s ratings grew even tighter with a slightly increased 49.1 percent approval but a significant increase in disapproval ratings at 47.8 percent. 

Despite recent polls showing a decrease in support for Trump by young people, some students say that they’ll support him no matter what.

One of these students is senior health science major Clark Smith of Aliquippa. According to him, there’s only one thing that Trump can do to lose his support.

 “I feel like, if he [bans] TikTok,” Smith said, “then I ain’t gonna mess with Trump no more.”