Recent polls indicate that Americans are divided in their opinions about President-elect Donald Trump’s upcoming second term. While a majority approve of his handling of the presidential transition, confidence in his ability to manage key government functions remains low.
Approval of Transition Efforts
A CNN poll reveals that 55% of Americans approve of how Trump is managing the transition back to the White House, with 54% expecting him to perform well in his forthcoming term.
Confidence in Governance
An AP-NORC poll highlights that only about 30% of Americans are highly confident in Trump’s capacity to appoint qualified officials, manage government spending, and oversee the military. Confidence is notably higher among Republicans, with 60% expressing strong confidence, whereas Democrats and independents largely doubt his capabilities.
Public Sentiment on Policies
A Pew Research Center survey indicates that 53% of Americans approve of Trump’s agenda as he prepares for his second term, while 46% disapprove. Approval is highly partisan, with 88% of Republicans supporting Trump compared to 82% of Democrats disapproving. Majorities have confidence in Trump’s decisions regarding economic policy (60%), law enforcement and criminal justice (54%), immigration (53%), and foreign policy (53%).
Partisan Perspectives
The POLITICO|Morning Consult poll reveals significant shifts in public opinion among Trump supporters following his victory. Prior to Election Day, 87% of Trump voters believed voter fraud was a serious issue; this number dropped to 36% post-election. Economic perceptions also flipped, with 28% of Trump supporters viewing the economy positively after the election, up from 8% before. Conversely, optimism about the economy among Harris supporters dropped from 59% to 46%.
These findings underscore the deep partisan divides and varied expectations as the nation anticipates the policies and direction of Trump’s second term.