By So far, so good. That’s the response of Americans to President-elect Donald Trump’s actions as he prepares his return to the White House. A recent CBS News/YouGov poll revealed that 59 percent of Americans approve of how Trump has managed his transition into office, while 41 percent disapprove. The findings, published on Sunday, highlight the nation’s divided opinions as Trump assembles his administration.
The poll reveals significant partisan divides, with 78 percent of Democrats disapproving of Trump’s transition compared to only 5 percent of Republicans. Independents’ opinions were closer to the national average, reflecting the polarization within the political landscape.
CBS News reported that after winning comes expectations. There’s a net optimism about the incoming administration’s effect on food and grocery prices, especially among Trump’s voters. That comes as most Americans continue to say prices are currently rising. And inflation was a big factor in Trump winning in the first place.
It may be no surprise then that among many potential items for the incoming administration, Americans say plans to lower prices ought to be the top priority.
The percentage of Republicans who call the U.S. economy good, while still low, has gone up, as the percentage who call it very bad has dropped. That pushes voters’ overall evaluation of the economy slightly higher than it’s been this year — and further spotlights how much partisanship, along with optimism, always plays into these evaluations.
Trump’s Cabinet nominations have drawn mixed reactions, noted The Washington Examiner. High-profile selections, such as Senator Marco Rubio (R-FL) for secretary of state and Robert F. Kennedy Jr. for Health and Human Services secretary, received higher approval ratings compared to others, including former Representative Tulsi Gabbard for director of national intelligence and Pete Hegseth for secretary of defense. Kennedy’s nomination resonated strongly with Republicans, younger voters, and white Americans without college degrees, while Rubio found support among Democrats, older voters, and white Americans with college degrees.
Despite the divisions, the poll indicates a sense of optimism across the country. Sixty-one percent of respondents believe America’s best days lie either “right now” or “in the future,” whereas 39 percent feel they are “in the past.” Furthermore, 83 percent agreed that Trump’s election victory was legitimate, although skepticism was higher among Democrats (32 percent compared to independents (14 percent) and Republicans (2 percent).
Concerns about Trump’s leadership remain prevalent, particularly among Democrats. 85 percent of Democrats reported feeling “concerned” or “scared” about his potential presidency, in contrast to just 5 percent of Republicans. Additionally, 71 percent of Democrats believe Trump poses a threat to their “rights and freedoms,” though only 37 percent of respondents overall shared this sentiment. These fears reflect campaign narratives emphasizing threats to women’s rights and democratic values, tied to Trump’s previous policies and rhetoric.
The survey, conducted nationwide from November 19 to 22, included a sample of 2,232 respondents. The results illustrate both widespread support as the nation prepares for Trump’s presidency.
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