President-elect Donald Trump is enjoying strong poll numbers just days before he is set to take office, signaling that the positive memories of his first administration remain fresh as Americans anticipate another four years of his leadership. In stark contrast, President Joe Biden is set to leave office with a 37% approval rating on the same day he delivers his farewell speech, as a nation appears eager for the end of his term.
A survey of 1,000 U.S. adults, conducted by Emerson College from January 10th to 11th, shows a 12-point decline in Biden’s approval compared to when he first took office. Respondents indicated that their top concerns were the economy (36%), followed by immigration (17%) and healthcare (12%), the first two issues having helped boost Trump’s election success. Based on the results, it seems the president-elect’s favorability has only grown since the election.
A poll conducted two weeks after Election Day showed President-elect Trump with a 47% approval rating, slightly ahead of singer and Harris supporter Taylor Swift at 44%. Since then, Trump’s favorable rating has risen to a majority 52%, positioning him to effectively pursue the MAGA agenda following his decisive electoral victory. At the same time, 55% of respondents in the latest poll said it was appropriate for courts to hold future presidents accountable for falsifying business records, referencing Trump’s hush money case in which he was sentenced to an “unconditional discharge” last week.
“Trump’s conviction continues to highlight partisan divides, independents aligning more with Democrats on this issue,” Spencer Kimball, executive director of Emerson College Polling, said in a news release obtained by YourErie. “Eighty-seven percent of Democrats and 57% of independents think the trial was appropriate to hold Trump accountable, while 79% of Republicans hint the trial was a political witch hunt.”
It remains unclear whether Trump can convert his positive approval ratings into a widespread belief that the country is moving in the right direction. Despite his popularity, two-thirds of poll respondents indicated that they believe the U.S. is on the wrong track, a sentiment that crosses party lines. “All political parties consider the country on the wrong track heading into 2025: 62% of Democrats, along with 70% of Republicans and 69% of independents” after four years of Biden-Harris, Emerson noted in a news release.
Disclaimer: This article may contain commentary which reflects the author’s opinion.