A growing number of Americans no longer see Donald Trump as just a polarizing political figure—they now view him as a threat to the very system he once led.
That’s the striking takeaway from a sweeping new poll released this week by the nonpartisan Public Religion Research Institute (PRRI), which found that more than half of Americans—52%—agree that Trump is “a dangerous dictator whose power should be limited before he destroys American democracy.”
The poll, timed with the 100th day of Trump’s return to office, paints a portrait of a nation deeply divided—and increasingly uneasy.
The Numbers Behind the Warning
The belief that Trump is a threat is not just confined to one political party. While 87% of Democrats agree with the statement, it’s independents who send perhaps the clearest signal: 56% say they also view Trump as dangerously authoritarian. That’s a critical shift, considering independents were a key force behind Trump’s previous election victories.
Only 17% of Republicans agree with the assessment, though notably, even within Trump’s base, some cracks appear. His overall favorability stands at 40%—a figure that underscores just how much political ground he may be losing.
Racial and Cultural Fault Lines
Trump’s image as a strongman is more pronounced among communities of color. Two-thirds of Black Americans (67%), along with majorities of Latino and Asian American respondents, agree with the “dangerous dictator” label. Among white Americans, 45% share that concern—less than half, but still significant.
Public Pushback on Policy
The survey doesn’t just reflect concern over rhetoric or personality. It shows Americans are reacting strongly to Trump’s early executive actions, including:
- The firing of over 100,000 federal workers across multiple agencies
- Aggressive mass deportation orders
- The elimination of equity and diversity programs
- Tariff policies that risk raising prices on everyday goods
Most Americans say they believe Trump has overstepped his authority—particularly when it comes to actions like the sudden mass firings and use of the military to detain undocumented immigrants. A clear 61% oppose detaining immigrants in military-run camps, a policy proposal floated by the administration.
A Nation Split—But Not Evenly
While Trump remains popular with 83% of Republicans, only 35% of independents and 8% of Democrats view him favorably. And even among white Americans, views are now split nearly down the middle. Half (51%) say Trump is a strong leader who deserves more power; the other half aren’t convinced.
PRRI’s CEO Melissa Deckman called the data a “sobering snapshot” of a democracy under strain.
“Most Americans view Trump in dictatorial terms,” Deckman said. “And there’s growing concern that the health of American democracy is hanging in the balance.”
Trump Responds
True to form, Trump dismissed the poll results outright. On his Truth Social platform, he labeled the data “fake” and called for investigations into the organizations behind them.
But public opinion may not be so easily brushed aside this time.
What’s Next?
The poll shows Americans still broadly support immigration reform and economic revitalization—but not at the expense of civil liberties, due process, or institutional checks and balances. With two-thirds opposing Trump’s tariffs and more than 70% resisting the dismantling of federal agencies, the path forward for the former president may be rockier than it appears.
Poll Details: The PRRI survey was conducted online from February 28 to March 20, with a representative sample of 5,025 adults across all 50 states. The margin of error is ±1.69%.
