Recent polling data suggests a significant shift in public opinion towards former President Donald Trump, with his approval ratings reaching unprecedented heights compared to his first term in office. CNN's senior data reporter, Harry Enten, analyzed a Reuters/Ipsos poll indicating a substantial increase in Trump's net approval rating, rising from -3 points at the start of his first term to +6 points currently. This nine-point jump marks a remarkable turnaround in public perception.

Enten highlighted that Trump's current approval surpasses any point during his first term, exceeding his previous high of +3 points in March 2017. He emphasized the unique nature of this trend, noting that Trump appears to be the first president to achieve higher approval at the start of a second term than at any time during the first.

Enten attributes this shift to a "very different Donald Trump" leading a "very different administration." He suggests that the public is now more aligned with Trump's approach. This observation raises questions about the factors contributing to this change in public sentiment and its potential implications for the future political landscape. Further analysis is needed to fully understand the reasons behind this shift and whether it represents a sustained trend.

A Fox News poll from January 15th further corroborates this trend, showing Trump's favorability rating at 50%, its highest recorded level in a Fox News poll. This convergence of data from different sources strengthens the narrative of a significant boost in Trump's public standing.