One year into Donald Trump’s second term, the country feels more divided than ever.

Supporters say he’s doing exactly what they voted for — pushing back against institutions they believe failed them, speaking bluntly, and refusing to soften his message. To them, his second term represents strength, defiance, and a return to priorities they felt were ignored for years.

Critics see something very different.

They point to heightened tension, constant political battles, and a climate where compromise feels impossible. For them, the past year has reinforced fears about instability, rhetoric, and the long-term direction of the country.

What’s striking is not just how people feel, but how intensely they feel it.

Polls show Americans are no longer mildly supportive or mildly opposed — they’re deeply entrenched. Approval and disapproval aren’t drifting; they’re hardened. Many voters say their opinions about Trump are now permanent, unlikely to change regardless of future events.

Independents remain the most conflicted group. Some credit economic or policy decisions they see as effective, while others say exhaustion with constant controversy outweighs any gains. A growing number say they don’t feel represented by either side — only caught in the middle.

What’s clear after a year is this:

Trump’s second term hasn’t softened opinions.
It hasn’t unified skeptics or discouraged loyalists.
It has clarified the divide.

Whether Americans view this period as a necessary shake-up or a dangerous escalation depends almost entirely on who you ask — and that reality may be the most revealing statistic of all.

Because one year in, the question isn’t whether people have an opinion on Trump.

It’s whether the country can move forward while holding such opposite truths at the same time.