Americans are expressing increased confidence and approval for President-elect Donald Trump following his 2024 election win, according to multiple polls released this week. A Pew Research Center survey conducted from November 12 to 17 found that 53% of respondents approve of Trump’s plans for his second term, with particular confidence in his handling of economic policy (59%), law enforcement (54%), immigration (53%), and foreign policy (53%).
Forty-three percent of Americans described their feelings toward Trump as “warm” or “very warm,” up from 34% after the 2020 election and 36% after 2016. This marks a significant shift in public sentiment as Trump prepares for his return to the Oval Office.
Despite these gains, fewer Americans expressed confidence in Trump’s handling of abortion (45%) or his ability to unify the country (41%). These numbers highlight challenges for the incoming administration as it seeks to address contentious cultural and political divides.
Additional polling reinforces Trump’s positive momentum. A Harvard CAPS/Harris poll found 54% of Americans approve of Trump’s job performance during the transition, including 91% of Republicans, 49% of independents, and even 22% of Democrats. Meanwhile, a YouGov poll showed Trump’s approval among young adults aged 18 to 29 surging to 57%, a 19-point increase within weeks.
Trump has already begun shaping his second term by naming key cabinet officials and signaling immediate action on campaign promises, including immigration enforcement. Former acting ICE Director Tom Homan has been tapped as the new “border czar” to lead efforts on mass deportations.
The election itself demonstrated broad public support for Trump, who secured 312 electoral votes to Vice President Kamala Harris’s 226. Trump also leads the popular vote by over 2.5 million votes as counting concludes in some states.
The new approval ratings stand in contrast to Trump’s early presidency. In January 2017, he entered office with a 2-point net negative approval rating, according to Gallup, and saw his popularity fluctuate over four years, reaching 49% in early 2020 before declining to 34% by the end of his term.
As Trump prepares for his second term, these polls suggest growing public confidence in his leadership and agenda.
