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.
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.