Americans Back Trump’s White House Return
A recent national survey reveals that a majority of Americans support President-elect Donald Trump’s approach to his return to the White House. Over half of respondents (55%) approve of his handling of the transition, while 54% believe he will do a good job as president. This signals a notable shift in public opinion following his re-election after being voted out four years ago.
Optimism for Change
The poll indicates that 68% of Americans believe Trump will bring change to the country, though only 48% expect it to be positive. Compared to his first term’s transition period, expectations for positive change have increased. Groups that were traditionally less supportive of Trump, including women, people of color, and younger adults, now express higher optimism about the impact of his leadership.
Shifts in National Sentiment
The overall mood of the country has improved since the election. Although 61% of respondents say things are going badly, only 15% describe it as “very badly”—the lowest rate since mid-2018. Meanwhile, 38% believe the country is on the right track, the highest figure since late 2021. This improvement is largely driven by shifts in perception among Republicans and independents, with 30% of Republicans now believing things are going well, compared to just 14% earlier this year.
Public Confidence in Key Issues
The survey found that confidence in Trump’s ability to handle critical issues is mixed. He received his strongest support on economic management, with 39% expressing deep confidence in his ability to manage the economy—a figure that outpaces confidence in past presidents like George W. Bush and Ronald Reagan. Trump’s leadership on immigration (39%) and the Russia-Ukraine war (37%) also received strong backing. However, only 26% have high confidence in his ability to appoint the best people to office, down from 32% in 2016.
Divided Opinions on Key Appointments
Public response to Trump’s appointments of tech leaders Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy to spearhead government efficiency efforts was notably split. About 49% of Americans approve of the decision, while 50% disapprove. The partisan divide is stark, with 92% of Republicans supporting the move, compared to 88% of Democrats who disapprove. Independents lean slightly negative, with 54% disapproving.
Bipartisan Agreement on Qualifications
The majority of Americans (75%) believe Trump’s appointments should prioritize qualifications over loyalty. This sentiment cuts across party lines, with 78% of Republicans, 77% of Democrats, and 71% of independents supporting a merit-based approach.
Hunter Biden’s Pardon Sparks Controversy
One issue that united the public—albeit in disapproval—was President Joe Biden’s pardon of his son, Hunter Biden, who had been convicted of federal gun and tax crimes. Nearly 68% of respondents disapproved of the pardon, with sharp partisan divisions. Democrats were more forgiving (56% approve), while 89% of Republicans and 70% of independents disapproved.
Lingering Controversy Over Legal Charges
Another key flashpoint was the Justice Department’s decision to drop pending federal criminal charges against Trump following his re-election. Over half (54%) disapproved of the decision, while 45% supported it. Not surprisingly, the response broke down along party lines, with 90% of Republicans approving and 87% of Democrats opposing the move.
Survey Details
The poll, conducted by research firm SSRS, surveyed 1,011 U.S. adults from December 5-8, 2024. The survey’s margin of error is plus or minus 3.8 percentage points. These findings suggest that while Trump’s return has sparked cautious optimism, the nation’s political divisions remain as pronounced as ever.
