Donald Trump’s latest approval ratings have been released giving an early look at how the American public is responding to his second term in office. Just two months after being sworn in, the numbers provide a glimpse into whether voters are satisfied with his policies or beginning to waver.

Since taking office again on January 20, Trump has moved quickly on his key promises. His administration has imposed a sweeping 25% tariff on goods from Canada, Mexico, China and the European Union. His controversial use of an 18th-century wartime law has facilitated mass deportations.

Meanwhile, his newly established Department of Government Efficiency, led by Elon Musk, has aggressively slashed government departments and humanitarian programs in an effort to eliminate what Trump deems to be wasteful spending.

His recent tense meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy over the ongoing war with Russia has also drawn significant attention.

Trump’s approval rating now stands at 46%, according to Gallup.

While this is lower than the historical average of 52% for US presidents dating back to 1938, it is still an improvement from his first term, when his overall approval rating averaged 41%.

At this same point in 2017, his approval rating was even lower, at just 39%.

By comparison, other recent presidents were polling higher at this stage in their terms. Joe Biden held a 54% approval rating, Barack Obama had 64%, and George Bush was at 59%.

John F. Kennedy had one of the highest early approval ratings, with 72% in February 1961.

Political analysts suggest that approval ratings often dip after the so-called “honeymoon period” at the start of a presidency.

Costas Panagopoulos, head of political science at Northeastern University, told USA Today that many voters who supported Trump may now be experiencing doubts as they see his policies in action.

He said: “There are a lot of people who dismissed other claims and comments that he made during the campaign because they expected that his priorities would be in line with things that they wanted. Now they’re seeing well that might not be the case.”

Despite this, Panagopoulos noted that Trump’s support remains strong among Republicans, and the lack of a clear alternative is preventing major shifts in voter sentiment. Democrats are still struggling to unify behind a single leader or strategy.

“At least for now, that might be artificially inflating Trump’s approval numbers overall, but specifically among Republicans,” he continued. “People are not going to move away from Trump until they have an alternative they can move towards.”

Monrovia, the capital of Liberia, is often cited as one of the world’s poorest cities, reflecting the country’s long-standing economic struggles and underdevelopment. Despite being the political and economic centre of the nation, many of its residents live in extreme poverty, facing harsh conditions with limited access to basic services.

The average monthly salary in Monrovia is approximately 30,000 Liberian dollars (LRD), around £115, a stark indication of the city’s financial hardship when some estimates put the cost of living in the city to be as high as £2,000 a month. Liberia’s history is marked by periods of both prosperity and devastation. Founded in 1822 by freed African Americans, the country declared independence in 1847, becoming Africa’s first republic. However, the late 20th century saw the country descend into two brutal civil wars, from 1989 to 1997 and 1999 to 2003.

These conflicts claimed the lives of over 100,000 people and left much of the nation’s infrastructure in ruins. Recovery was further set back by the Ebola outbreak of 2014-2016, which strained an already fragile healthcare system and economy, deepening the country’s economic woes.

Political instability has played a significant role in Monrovia’s struggles with years of conflict having weakened institutions, making governance and public service delivery extremely ineffective.

Corruption remains a persistent issue, hindering economic growth and preventing equitable distribution of resources. The country has also suffered from high unemployment rates, particularly among young people, further exacerbating poverty.

Meanwhile, Liberia’s reliance on commodity exports such as rubber and iron ore makes it vulnerable to fluctuations in global market prices, limiting economic stability.

The challenges in Monrovia are severe and widespread. The city’s infrastructure remains underdeveloped, with many roads, schools, and hospitals in need of significant improvements. Access to quality education is limited, leaving many young people without the necessary skills to secure stable employment.

The healthcare system is underfunded and poorly equipped, leading to poor public health outcomes. Additionally, rapid urbanisation has resulted in overcrowding, with informal settlements and slums growing as people migrate to the capital in search of better opportunities.

According to the World Bank’s 2023 Liberia Poverty Assessment, more than half of the country’s population lives below the poverty line, with poverty rates rising from 54.1% in 2014 to 58.9% in 2016.

In Monrovia, around 30% of residents live in poverty, while in rural areas, the rate is even higher, affecting 8 out of 10 individuals. The high cost of living in the city, combined with limited job opportunities, leaves many families struggling to afford even the most basic of necessities.

Despite these hardships, efforts are underway to address Monrovia’s economic challenges. The government and international partners are working to implement reforms aimed at improving governance and reducing corruption. Economic diversification is also being explored, with initiatives to invest in agriculture, manufacturing, and small business development to create employment opportunities.

Expanding access to education and vocational training is seen as a key step toward empowering the younger generation and breaking the cycle of poverty. Strengthening the healthcare system is another priority, as better medical facilities and resources are essential for improving quality of life and supporting economic growth.

Canada’s new Prime Minister Mark Carney mocked American President Donald Trump’s ambition to make his country the 51st US state in a cheeky video alongside Ontario-born actor Mike Myers. Mr Carney, who was Governor of the Bank of England from 2013 to 2020, appeared with the Wayne’s World star in a 57-second-long clip.

The 61-year-old asked Mr Carney, 60, whether there will “always be a Canada”, to which he replied emphatically: “There will always be a Canada”. If that wasn’t blatant enough of a dig at Mr Trump’s desire to relegate Canada to the status of a US state, Mr Carney and Mr Myers both wore Canadian hockey jerseys and the Austin Powers lead had “Never 51” on his back.

During the video, which has now been viewed more than 4.4 million times, both men repeated the phrase “elbows up”. The phrase is linked to legendary Canadian-born hockey player Gordie Howe, who was renowned for his toughness on the ice and using his elbows to defend himself from swarming opposition players.

More recently, the phrase has been used on social media in response to Mr Trump’s tariffs and his various statements about taking over Canada. During Mr Myers’ appearance on US comedy show Saturday Night Live, the iconic performer cast Elon Musk as Dr Evil from the Austin Power franchise. As the credits rolled, the actor pointed to his elbow before pointing up and mouthing the phrase.

Despite Trump’s 25% tariffs on Canadian steel and aluminium imports,Foreign Minister Mélanie Joly told the BBC she believes her country will win the trade war, not the US.

“We are the biggest customer of the US,” Joly told the BBC‘s World Service Weekend programme. “We buy more from the Americans than China, Japan, the UK and France combined.”

She told the broadcaster: “We think that ultimately the only ones that will be able to help us win this war… are the Americans themselves because they’re the ones that can send a message to their lawmakers”.