After clinching victory in the November 5 presidential election, Americans are divided on Donald Trump’s plans for the future. While 53% approve of his policies, 46% disapprove, reflecting a narrow majority in his favor.
A recent Pew Research Center survey, conducted from November 12-17 among 9,609 adults, shows Trump garners significant confidence in his handling of the economy, with 59% expressing faith in his economic decisions. Slight majorities also trust him on law enforcement (54%), immigration (53%), and foreign policy (53%). However, only 45% are confident in his approach to abortion policy.
Despite this, unifying the country remains a challenge. Only 41% believe Trump can bring Americans closer together, while 59% lack confidence in his ability to do so. His outreach efforts to Kamala Harris’ supporters also receive low marks, with just 31% rating his performance as excellent or good, compared to 66% who deem it fair or poor.
Americans largely agree on the importance of national unity, with 52% saying it’s extremely or very important for Trump to engage Harris’ supporters. However, the survey indicates dissatisfaction with his progress in this area so far.
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The survey also highlights shifts in Trump’s personal image. While 43% rate him warmly on a 0-100 scale, this is an improvement from 34% after the 2020 election and 36% in 2016. Still, fewer than four-in-ten describe him as even-tempered (37%) or a good role model (34%).
Public sentiment about the nation’s direction remains pessimistic, with only 29% expressing satisfaction—an increase from 23% in October. Partisan divides shape these views: 35% of Republicans view national conditions positively, up from 10% last month, while only 24% of Democrats feel similarly, down from 38% in October.
Republicans express hope and pride in the election outcome, with 76% feeling hopeful and 46% proud. In contrast, 73% of Democrats report feeling fearful, and 54% are angry. Few Democrats feel hopeful (29%) or proud (14%).
Looking ahead, most Americans (70%) are confident in a smooth presidential transition, a marked improvement from 2020. Trump’s post-election conduct also sees a boost, with 53% rating it positively, compared to 28% four years ago. However, expectations for bipartisan cooperation remain low, with only 14% believing relations between Republicans and Democrats will improve in the coming year.
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