The American public is divided on the outlook for President-elect Donald Trump’s second term, with 52% expressing positive feelings and 48% responding negatively, according to a new CNN poll conducted by SSRS. The responses to the survey were highly dependent on a person’s political affiliation, with 93% of Republicans and Republican-leaning independents expressing a positive outlook, while 85% of Democrats and Democratic-leaning independents sharing a negative view.
The survey also found that the concerns and priorities of those who are optimistic about Trump’s second term differed from those who are pessimistic. Those who are optimistic often hope that Trump will improve the economy, with many also approvingly citing his first term in office. In contrast, those who are pessimistic are more likely to cite concerns about Trump’s character.
The poll also identified some of the main issues behind people’s feelings about Trump’s return to office, including the economy, his character, and the impact of his administration on their own lives. For example, many of those who were optimistic about Trump’s second term mentioned their hope that he would improve the economy, with 22% citing economic reasons, including hopes for lower inflation or a reduction in the cost of living.
Among those who are afraid, 15% described Trump as bigoted or expressed concerns that he would incite hatred among his followers. Another 13% expressed fears that he would threaten democracy or attempt to rule as a dictator.
The poll found that Americans are also divided along gender and educational lines, with White Americans and those without college degrees more likely to be optimistic about Trump’s second term. The poll had a margin of error of plus or minus 3.8 percentage points and was conducted among a sample of 1,011 adults.