2016 US Politics - President-Elect Trump’s Personnel Moves to Date Have Begun to Boost Americans’ Confidence (December 21)

Trends

Overall, 59% of Americans believe that the country is headed in the wrong direction, with Republicans (61%) and Democrats (57%) having a fair amount of pessimism. More Independents (68%) believe that the country is off on the wrong track.

The economy remains at the top of the list of the most serious problem facing the United States, at 18%.

Approval

President Obama’s approval rating has risen to 56% approve, with disapproval at 41%.

Mike Pence’s favorability has continued to rise since the election, with over half (58%) of Americans favorable towards the Vice President-Elect. Just over half (52%) are currently favorable towards President-Elect Donald Trump.

Trump Administration

As President-Elect Trump announces potential appointments for the new administration, we will be gauging the American public’s opinion of those candidates. This week:

• Rex Tillerson is the best known and tied for the least highly regarded, with 58% of Americans aware of him and only 49% of those holding favorable opinions towards him.
• Elaine Chao is the second best known (51%) and is tied for most highly regarded with over half (56%) of Americans who are aware of her perceiving her favorably.
• Less than half of Americans are aware of both Cathy McMorris Rodgers and Andrew Puzder (43% each). However, while Puzder has the same low favorability as Tillerson (49%), Rodgers ties Chao with 56% of those aware of her perceiving her favorably.

President-Elect Trump’s personnel moves to date have begun to boost Americans’ confidence. After last week’s dip to 33%, this week 37% of Americans said that Donald Trump’s choices for his cabinet make them feel more confident about the new administration. However, more Americans (40%) are saying that his choices make them feel less confident.

These are findings from an Ipsos poll conducted for Thomson Reuters December 16- 20, 2016. For the survey, a sample of 2,065 Americans, ages 18+ were interviewed online.