Apple News Today: Episode Summary Title: Six Months In, How Do Americans Grade Trump? Host: Shumita Basu Release Date: July 21, 2025

Overview: Evaluating President Trump's Second Term

In this episode of Apple News Today, host Shamita Basu delves into the American public's perception of President Donald Trump's performance six months into his second term. The discussion encompasses his overall approval ratings, with a particular focus on key policy areas such as immigration and the economy.

Approval Ratings Decline

Shamita Basu opens the episode by highlighting that, according to The New York Times, "the majority of Americans are unhappy with Trump's second term," with a 53% disapproval rate compared to 44% approval (00:05). This approval rating is notably lower than those of his recent predecessors—Biden, Obama, and Bush—and has been declining since his inauguration, a trend common among presidents but occurring at a faster pace for Trump.

Polarized Political Landscape

Philip Bump of The Washington Post provides deeper insight, stating, “People who are members of the president's own party love him. People who are not members of the president's own party dislike him. And independents swing back and forth” (01:24). This polarization reflects a sharply divided electorate, with Trump's approval rating dipping more rapidly than that of past presidents.

Immigration Policies: Growing Discontent

The episode shifts focus to Trump’s immigration policies, which have become increasingly unpopular among Americans.

Public Opposition to Mass Deportations

A recent CNN poll cited in the podcast reveals that "55% think Trump is going too far with his mass deportation campaign," marking a 10-point increase since February (02:10). Furthermore, 57% oppose his plans to build new detention facilities, and 53% are against increasing the budget for ICE (02:22). Margaret Taleffe from Axios emphasizes the negative shift: “These numbers are moving in the wrong direction for the president. It’s clear that the average American thinks that his immigration policies are going too far” (03:01).

Economic Policies: Market Volatility and Debt Concerns

President Trump's economic strategies over the past six months have introduced significant volatility into the markets.

Currency and National Debt Issues

Basu notes that the US dollar has “slumped more than 10% this year,” the worst decline in over five decades (03:20). The newly passed tax and spending bill is expected to add trillions to the national debt, with 51% of voters believing it will hurt the economy compared to 29% who think it will help (03:20).

Steady but Divisive Economic Indicators

Despite market chaos, key economic indicators like unemployment and inflation have remained relatively steady, although inflation did peak to its highest level in five months in June. Gallup data referenced by Bump indicates that “nearly 6 out of 10 Americans said they do feel like things are getting worse” (04:26).

State Impact: Medicaid and SNAP Cuts

The discussion transitions to the repercussions of Trump's tax and spending bill on state budgets, specifically concerning Medicaid and SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program).

Financial Strain on States

Sarah Weier of USA Today explains that states are grappling with steep cuts to Medicaid and SNAP, which could cost them "tens of millions or even hundreds of millions of dollars" (05:33). States are forced to balance their budgets by potentially cutting other essential programs. As Nevada’s treasurer succinctly puts it, “there’s just not enough dirt to fill the hole” (06:19).

Uneven Playing Field and Potential Withdrawals

Weier highlights the uneven impact on states, with some considering withdrawing from SNAP entirely due to financial constraints, while others might need to raise taxes or deplete their rainy day funds to manage the increased costs (07:23).

$1,000 Baby Bonus: Opportunities and Considerations

Another significant policy introduced in the spending bill is the creation of $1,000 savings accounts for newborns, termed "Trump accounts."

Account Flexibility and Expert Opinions

Ashley Ebling from The Wall Street Journal describes these accounts as “really like baby IRAs” (08:31). Parents can contribute up to $5,000 annually, with additional contributions from employers. The funds can be used for various purposes, including education and buying a first home. However, experts advise that for college savings, 529 accounts might be more advantageous due to tax benefits and better investment options (09:36).

Maximizing the Benefits

Financial experts suggest treating the Trump account as a long-term nest egg, potentially converting it to a Roth IRA when the child turns 18 to avoid tax penalties and ensure continued growth (10:03).

Additional News Highlights

Beyond the central topic, the episode covers several other news stories:

• Gaza Conflict: NPR reports nearly 100 deaths caused by Israeli military actions targeting individuals seeking food aid in Gaza (11:00). Pope Leo XIV has called for an end to the war following the killing of three people in the only Catholic church in Gaza (11:30).

• WNBA All-Star Game Protest: WNBA players displayed shirts with the message "pay us what you owe us" during the All-Star Game, advocating for fair salaries in light of the league's growth (12:03). MVP Nafisa Collier emphasized the players' crucial role in the league’s success (12:19).

• Amish Immunity to Allergies: A study cited by the Washington Post reveals that an Amish community in northern Indiana may have one of the lowest allergy rates in the developed world. Researchers are investigating the Amish lifestyle, particularly their exposure to microbes, to understand potential preventative measures for allergies (13:00).

Conclusion

Shamita Basu wraps up by directing listeners to the Apple News app for more stories, including an upcoming piece on scammers using AI-generated voice memos to exploit victims financially.

This comprehensive summary encapsulates the key discussions from the episode, providing listeners with an in-depth understanding of President Trump's standing among Americans six months into his second term, alongside other pertinent news stories.