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President-elect Donald Trump spoke from Mar-a-Lago in Palm Beach, Florida. Trump said his resolution is for people to be ‘happy and healthy.’
- The Brief
- Survey Results: A Gallup poll revealed mixed expectations for President-elect Trump’s second term, with Americans optimistic on some issues and skeptical on others.
- According to the survey, most believe Trump will succeed in controlling illegal immigration, reducing unemployment, and improving the economy, among other goals.
- In contrast, most Americans doubt he will achieve progress on political divisions, healthcare or race relations.
A recent survey reveals that Americans have a divided outlook on what President-elect Donald Trump will be able to achieve during his second term. Conducted by Gallup last month, the poll shows that while many Americans are optimistic about Trump’s success in several areas, they are more skeptical about his ability to address other key policy goals.
The majority of respondents (68%) believe Trump will succeed in controlling illegal immigration. There are also sizable expectations for him to achieve success in other areas, such as reducing unemployment, keeping the country safe from terrorism, improving the economy, avoiding war, cutting taxes, and reducing the crime rate. These policy goals appear to resonate with a significant portion of the American public, reflecting the priorities of many voters heading into the next term.
However, the survey also reveals a more skeptical perspective on eight important policy areas. A substantial number of Americans (33%) do not believe that Trump will be able to heal the political divisions within the country, improve the quality of the environment, reform the healthcare system, address race relations, improve education, substantially reduce the federal budget deficit, enhance conditions for minorities and the poor, or lower the prices of everyday goods like groceries.
In addition, the poll shows that respondents are uncertain about two issues—improving the efficiency of the federal government and increasing respect for the U.S. abroad. Around half of those surveyed are divided on whether Trump will succeed in either of these areas, indicating a lack of consensus about his ability to bring about positive change in these domains.
This survey highlights the mixed expectations of Americans as Trump prepares for his second term, with a clear divide between areas where he is expected to succeed and others where doubt persists. The findings suggest that while some voters remain hopeful about his ability to deliver on certain promises, others remain uncertain or pessimistic about his chances of improving broader societal issues.
Republicans more optimistic Trump will achieve goals
The poll found that the majority of Republicans, ranging from 66% to 99%, said they are optimistic he will achieve each of the 17 goals measured.
U.S. President-elect Donald Trump looks on during Turning Point USA’s AmericaFest at the Phoenix Convention Center on December 22, 2024 in Phoenix, Arizona. (Credit: Rebecca Noble/Getty Images)
The survey data also reveals that Democrats, in particular, are largely skeptical about Trump’s ability to deliver on most of the policy goals listed. The majority of Democratic respondents expressed doubt regarding his prospects for success across nearly all areas, including healing political divisions, improving healthcare, and addressing race relations. However, despite their overall skepticism, a third or more of Democrats remain cautiously optimistic about Trump achieving a few of his higher-priority goals, especially in the area of controlling illegal immigration. This finding suggests that even among political opponents, there is some acknowledgment of the possibility that Trump may succeed in certain policy areas, even as many continue to doubt his effectiveness on broader issues.
Americans’ expectations for Trump in 2016 vs 2024
The new survey findings reveal a notable shift in public opinion compared to 2016, with a growing number of Americans expressing confidence in President-elect Donald Trump’s ability to keep the nation out of war. The belief in Trump’s ability to avoid conflict has risen significantly, increasing by 17 percentage points to 55% since the previous election cycle.
Other policy areas also saw increases in public optimism. For example, the belief that Trump will successfully control illegal immigration has grown by 9%, while 8% more Americans now expect him to reduce the crime rate. Additionally, there has been a 6% increase in the number of people who believe Trump will improve race relations.
However, the survey also highlights some areas where Americans may be less confident than they were in 2016. Specifically, the belief that Trump will make improvements in healthcare and education has declined, with confidence in his ability to address these issues slipping by 12 and 10 percentage points, respectively. This shift reflects a decrease in optimism about his ability to deliver on certain long-standing challenges, such as reforming the healthcare system and enhancing education standards.
The Source
Results for this Gallup poll were based on telephone interviews conducted Dec. 2-18, 2024, with a random sample of 1,003 adults, aged 18 and older, living in all 50 U.S. states and the District of Columbia. This story was reported from Los Angeles.
