Franklin Dean
The honeymoon period is a term used to describe a period of popularity enjoyed by a new leader, usually an incoming president. Polling conducted by Gallup since World War II has shown that Americans have historically been willing to give their new Commanders-in-Chief the benefit of the doubt at first, resulting in elevated job approval ratings during their first few months in office. This honeymoon period has been observed in various presidential administrations, including those of John F. Kennedy, Ronald Reagan, Barack Obama, and Joe Biden. On the other hand, some commentators have argued that former President Donald Trump never experienced a honeymoon period, facing conflict and criticism from the moment he took office.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Definition | A period of popularity enjoyed by a new leader, usually an incoming president. |
| Duration | The length of the honeymoon period has shortened over time. The average length in the last few decades of the 20th century was seven months, down from an average of 26 months earlier in American history. |
| Approval Ratings | Presidents generally enjoy elevated job approval ratings during their honeymoon periods. For example, President Obama entered office with a 66% approval rating, which dropped to 50% by the end of his first August in office. |
| Factors Influencing Duration | The honeymoon period may be shorter for presidents who face a divided government, as they tend to have higher congressional success scores in the initial months. Additionally, the level of polarization in the country and the margin of electoral victory can impact the duration. |
| Exceptions | Some presidents, such as Trump, may not experience a traditional honeymoon period due to factors like unprecedented polarization and failing to win the popular vote. |
| Multiple Honeymoon Periods | Two-term presidents may experience multiple honeymoon periods, benefiting from increased popularity after re-election. |
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What You'll Learn
- Obama's approval rating was 66% when he entered office, but it fell to 50% by the end of his first August
- Trump's honeymoon period was affected by his failure to win the popular vote and a polarised nation
- Ronald Reagan's approval rating shot up after surviving an assassination attempt but quickly faded
- Joe Biden enjoyed a honeymoon period with the public, with 61% approval two weeks into his administration
- The honeymoon period for presidents is getting shorter and shorter
Obama's approval rating was 66% when he entered office, but it fell to 50% by the end of his first August
The ""honeymoon period"" is a term used to refer to the period of popularity enjoyed by a new leader, usually an incoming president. Typically, presidents enjoy elevated approval ratings in their first months in office, before political reality sets in and approval ratings fall. This honeymoon period has been shrinking over time, with the average period in the last few decades of the 20th century being seven months, down from an average of 26 months earlier in American history.
Barack Obama is a prime example of a president who experienced a honeymoon period. Obama entered office with an approval rating of 66%, with two-thirds of Americans approving of his job performance. However, by the end of his first August in office, his approval rating had dropped to 50%. Obama's approval ratings improved during the 2012 and 2016 campaigns, but they never reached the heights of the first few months.
Obama's approval ratings during his first term followed a similar trajectory to other presidents. John F. Kennedy, for instance, maintained an approval rating of around 75% for his first 16 months in office, but his ratings never again reached those heights. Similarly, Jimmy Carter's approval rating started very high, hitting 75% before falling for the remainder of his presidency.
Obama's initial plunge in approval ratings may be attributed to various factors, including the political and economic climate during his first term. Additionally, Obama's relatively narrow victory in the 2008 election and the electorate's indecisive rejection of conservative principles may have contributed to the limited mandate he won, impacting his ability to govern and maintain high approval ratings.
While Obama experienced a honeymoon period with the press and public during his first year, his approval ratings took a significant dip by the end of his first August in office, reflecting the typical trajectory of a president's approval ratings during their term.
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Trump's honeymoon period was affected by his failure to win the popular vote and a polarised nation
The "honeymoon period" is a term used to describe the period of popularity enjoyed by a new leader, usually an incoming president. Typically, presidents enjoy elevated job approval ratings in their first months in office, before political gravity takes hold and their approval ratings fall.
President Trump's honeymoon period was short-lived due to various factors, including his failure to win the popular vote and a deeply polarised nation. Trump faced conflict and criticism from the moment he took office, with some arguing that he squandered any goodwill by refusing to rally his followers as previous presidents had done.
Trump entered office at a time of unprecedented polarisation in the country, with his party holding only a slim majority in the House, resulting in gridlock in Congress. His failure to win the popular vote also diminished his honeymoon period, as it automatically put him at a disadvantage.
Trump's approval ratings during his honeymoon phase were mixed. A national poll conducted by Emerson College Polling in March 2025, 50 days into his second term, found that Trump had a 47% approval rating and a 45% disapproval rating. While voters were most supportive of his immigration policy, they disapproved of his handling of the economy, believing that tariffs would hurt economic growth.
Trump's honeymoon period was further affected by protests, polls, and tariffs that sparked growing dissent. By April 2025, there were about 1,400 protests against the Trump administration across all 50 states, indicating that he and his policies were falling out of favour with many Americans and people worldwide. Additionally, a Pew Research Center poll found that 65% of Americans believed it would be too risky to give Trump more power to deal directly with the nation's problems.
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Ronald Reagan's approval rating shot up after surviving an assassination attempt but quickly faded
Ronald Reagan, the incumbent president of the United States, was shot and wounded by John Hinckley Jr. on March 30, 1981, in Washington, D.C. Hinckley fired a .22-calibre revolver with "devastator" bullets at the President and his security team. Reagan was wounded when one of the bullets ricocheted off his limousine, striking him under his left armpit. This assassination attempt on Reagan's life caused his approval ratings to surge to nearly 70% in the following months.
Before the assassination attempt, Reagan had enjoyed approval ratings of up to 60%. Immediately after the incident, Reagan underwent emergency exploratory surgery and was released from the hospital on April 11. He returned to the Oval Office on April 25 and received a standing ovation from staff and Cabinet members. He made his first public appearance three days later in a speech before the joint houses of Congress, in which he introduced his planned spending cuts. He received two thunderous standing ovations during the speech, which the New York Times deemed "a salute to his good health."
However, the bounce in Reagan's approval ratings following the assassination attempt faded fairly quickly. His approval rating dipped below 50% before his first year in office was over. Reagan's ratings continued to fluctuate throughout his presidency, with his job approval eventually recovering, and he started his second term with an approval rating in the 60s. However, his rating dropped again to 49% in January 1987 due to the Iran-Contra affair.
The phenomenon of a president's approval ratings improving early in their term, before eventually declining, is known as the "honeymoon period." Several presidents have experienced this effect, including Barack Obama, who entered office with two-thirds of Americans approving of his job performance. By the end of his first August in office, Obama's approval had dropped to 50%, and while his approval improved during the 2012 and 2016 campaigns, it never reached the heights of his first few months.
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Joe Biden enjoyed a honeymoon period with the public, with 61% approval two weeks into his administration
Biden's honeymoon period was marked by the public giving his administration the benefit of the doubt as it began to address the challenges facing the country. Most Americans expressed confidence in the president's ability to handle issues such as the coronavirus pandemic and race relations. However, strong partisan divisions remained, with some questioning his respect for the country's democratic institutions and traditions.
Historically, presidents have enjoyed elevated job approval ratings during their honeymoon periods. For example, President John Kennedy maintained an approval rating of around 75% for his first 16 months in office, remaining popular throughout his presidency. Similarly, President Eisenhower's honeymoon period lasted his entire first term, resulting in a landslide reelection victory in 1956.
It is worth noting that the length of the honeymoon period can vary. While some presidents may experience a shorter honeymoon period, others may benefit from a bounce in popularity during certain events or after being reelected, as seen with President Obama. Additionally, the highly polarized political landscape and the impact of the media can influence the duration and intensity of the honeymoon period.
In summary, Joe Biden's honeymoon period with the public, reflected in the 61% approval rating two weeks into his administration, is a common phenomenon for new presidents. This period is characterized by public optimism and high approval ratings before the challenges of governing take their toll.
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The honeymoon period for presidents is getting shorter and shorter
The ""honeymoon period"" is a well-known phenomenon in politics, where a new leader enjoys a period of popularity and elevated approval ratings. This period of good will typically lasts for the first few months of a president's term, but it is getting shorter and shorter.
Historically, the presidential honeymoon period in the United States lasted for the first few months of a president's term, with polling showing that Americans have been willing to give their new leaders the benefit of the doubt. For example, President John F. Kennedy maintained an approval rating of around 75% for his first 16 months in office, and President Eisenhower's honeymoon period lasted his entire first term.
However, in more recent times, the honeymoon period for presidents has been shrinking. By the last few decades of the 20th century, the average honeymoon period had decreased to seven months, down from an average of 26 months earlier in American history. This trend continued with the election of Donald Trump, who, according to some pundits, did not experience a honeymoon period at all. Trump faced conflict and criticism from the moment he stepped into office, and his approval ratings began to slide early in his first term.
There are several factors that can influence the length of a president's honeymoon period. One factor is the level of polarization in the country at the time of their election. For example, Trump entered office during a time of unprecedented polarization, and his slim majority in the House created gridlock in Congress, diminishing his honeymoon period.
Another factor is the popularity of a president's actions and policies. For instance, President George H. W. Bush enjoyed a high approval rating during the First Gulf War, and President George W. Bush's ratings improved after the September 11th attacks.
Despite the shrinking honeymoon period, some two-term presidents may experience a second honeymoon period after being re-elected. This was the case for President Barack Obama, who enjoyed improved approval ratings after his re-election in 2012.
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Frequently asked questions
Many US presidents have experienced a honeymoon period, including John Kennedy, whose approval rating stayed near 75% for his first 16 months in office. Eisenhower also enjoyed a honeymoon period that lasted his entire first term.
The longest honeymoon period for a US president was enjoyed by Eisenhower, lasting his entire first term.
Trump's honeymoon period was short-lived. Although he started his second term with an approval rating of around 50%, his rash actions and missteps quickly led to a decline in his popularity.
