Polls Show U.S. is Divided Yet Optimistic at Start of Trump Presidency

Veronica Neffinger | iBelieve Contributor | Updated: Jan 20, 2017

Polls Show U.S. is Divided Yet Optimistic at Start of Trump Presidency

Today marks the inauguration of Donald Trump, who will become the 45th president of the United States. Going into a Trump presidency, polls show that Americans are largely divided on their opinion of Trump, but most are hopeful, especially when it comes to the economy.

According to Fox News, Trump’s approval rating is fairly low; 42 percent of voters have a favorable opinion of him, while 55 have an unfavorable opinion. A majority also feel like Trump has a lot of work to do to unite the country. Only one-third said the national mood could be described as “we’re all in this together.”

This could perhaps best be evidenced by the protests which took place in Washington D.C. last night and are scheduled to take place today and throughout the weekend as inaugural events proceed.

However, there is one issue that the majority of Americans seem to agree on: the economy.

Two thirds (66 percent) of voters said they were optimistic about the economy. This was true for Independents (61 percent), Democrats (64 percent), and Republicans (72 percent).

More voters (23 percent) also believe that the stock market rose due to Trump than those who believe it rose due to President Obama (13 percent).

Voters also said the economy was the number one issue Trump should address after taking office. Voters ranked terrorism (44 percent), healthcare (43 percent), foreign policy (34 percent), Supreme Court nominations (33 percent), and immigration (27 percent) after jobs and the economy (46 percent).

The National Mall is already crowded with people awaiting Trump’s inauguration. This morning, Trump and soon-to-be First Lady Melania Trump, met with the Obamas. The official swearing-in ceremony of Donald Trump and Vice President-elect Mike Pence will take place at 11:30 a.m. EST.

 

Photo courtesy: Wikimedia Commons

Publication date: January 20, 2017



Polls Show U.S. is Divided Yet Optimistic at Start of Trump Presidency