President-elect Donald Trump’s upcoming second term is shaping up to be one of significant political division, according to a new Pew Research Center poll. The survey, conducted between November 12th and 17th, polled 9,609 adults nationwide and unveiled a complex picture of American sentiment toward the President-elect’s agenda.
The most striking finding? A narrow majority – 53% – of Americans expressed approval for Trump’s plans. This is counterbalanced by a significant 46% disapproval rating, clearly illustrating the deep partisan rift currently shaping the nation’s political landscape. This division is starkly evident in the data: a resounding 88% of Republicans and Republican-leaning independents voiced their support, while a nearly equally strong 82% of Democrats and Democratic-leaning individuals registered their disapproval.
However, the picture is far from monochrome. While overall approval is just above the 50% mark, the poll reveals areas of surprising strength in public support for Trump’s policies. A significant 60% of respondents expressed confidence in his economic decision-making capabilities. Furthermore, majority support was also shown for his approaches to law enforcement and criminal justice (54%), immigration (53%), and foreign policy (53%). This suggests that while overall approval is split, there are specific policy areas where the President-elect enjoys considerably stronger public confidence.
Post-election sentiment towards Trump also shows a marked improvement. His “warmth” rating on Pew’s “feeling thermometer” has jumped to 43%, a notable increase from the 34% recorded after the 2020 election. This suggests a shift in public perception, although it remains to be seen whether this translates into broader political unity.
The poll also highlights some significant challenges that lie ahead. Only 31% of respondents viewed Trump’s post-election unification efforts as “good” or “excellent,” suggesting a persistent lack of faith in his ability to bridge the deep partisan divide. Even more concerning is the fact that only a mere 14% anticipate any improvement in partisan relations during his second term, a sobering indication of the deep political polarization that continues to grip the nation.
The Pew Research Center poll offers a valuable snapshot of American sentiment as Trump prepares to embark on his second term. The results clearly demonstrate areas of strong support alongside significant opposition, painting a picture of a nation sharply divided along partisan lines. While the President-elect enjoys strong confidence in certain policy areas, the low expectations for national unity underscore the substantial hurdles that await him in the years to come.
