WASHINGTON — As the incoming administration of President-elect Donald Trump faces intense scrutiny regarding his proposed appointees, a recent poll conducted by The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research reveals that public opinion is mixed.
Among the nominees, Pete Hegseth for the Department of Defense and Tulsi Gabbard for intelligence chief are generating prominent reactions, albeit many Americans seem unfamiliar with these individuals. In contrast, Robert F. Kennedy Jr. as health secretary and Marco Rubio as secretary of state are somewhat more recognized, yet still not widely favored by the public.
Trump and his supporters are advocating for Republican senators to endorse his selections while those nominees meet with lawmakers ahead of the President’s return to the White House next month. With the Republican majority in the Senate being quite slim, the importance of solidifying each nomination is pronounced.
Approval ratings for Hegseth remain low, with only about 20% of the American public expressing support for his nomination. A former Army veteran and Fox News commentator, Hegseth has sought to bolster his credentials despite allegations regarding excessive drinking and a past sexual assault settlement, which he refutes. Trump has reaffirmed his backing of Hegseth, who has made headway with some senators who had previously critiqued his nomination.
Approximately 40% of Americans remain uncertain about Hegseth, indicating a lack of familiarity. However, those familiar are generally not enthusiastic, as approval stands at about 20%, with 36% disapproving and the remaining 10% undecided. While he garners more support among Republicans, it is still limited. Roughly 40% of Republican respondents claim they don’t know enough about him, about a third approve, and 16% disapprove. The levels of approval among Republicans for Hegseth are somewhat lower than for the other figures polled.
Similar disapproval rates are found for Gabbard, who previously served in the House and pursued the Democratic presidential nomination in 2020 before distancing herself from the party. She has been a notable supporter of Trump during the 2024 campaign, but her nomination raises concerns due to recent scrutiny linked to her relationships with Syria’s political landscape.
Gabbard’s approval stands at about 20%, while disapproval is slightly higher at 30%. Approximately 40% remain unsure enough to offer an opinion, and the remaining voters fall into a neutral category. Among Republican respondents, Gabbard’s numbers show around 40% approval, with minimal disapproval and some expressing neutrality. Similar to Hegseth’s support, 40% of Republicans don’t feel informed enough to comment on her nomination.
The more recognizable Robert F. Kennedy Jr. comes from a renowned Democratic lineage and has established himself as an environmental attorney. His recent focus on vaccine skepticism has gained him notoriety. Trump has indicated that he would allow Kennedy substantial leeway in health policy matters, including drug safety and Medicaid. Despite higher recognition levels, only about 30% of Americans approve of Kennedy’s selection, 40% disapprove, and the remaining 14% express neutrality.
Among Republicans, approval is notably higher, with around 60% supporting Kennedy’s nomination and only 10% opposing it.
Marco Rubio draws divided opinions from the public regarding his proposed advancement to a Cabinet position. Currently serving his third Senate term from Florida, Rubio transitioned from a competitor in the 2016 Republican presidential race to a significant ally to Trump, particularly on foreign policy matters concerning Latin America. Public approval is approximately 30%, matching disapproval rates, while 20% remain unsure and 15% are neutral.
Among Republicans, nearly 60% express approval for Rubio, matching the support level for Kennedy, with very few disapproving. His approval rates among Hispanic Americans surpass some of Trump’s other nominees, yet disapproval remains prevalent.
This poll surveyed 1,251 adults from December 5-9, 2024, using a sample drawn from NORC’s probability-based AmeriSpeak Panel for a representative cross-section of the U.S. population, with a margin of error of plus or minus 3.7 percentage points.