Polling News

Trump’s Starting Line

January 19, 2017

Following the Nov. election, Donald Trump’s favorable rating was 42% and his unfavorable 55%, according to Gallup.  Today his favorable is down to 40% and his unfavorable is steady at 55%.  How does this compare to recent presidents-elect at the beginning of their terms? 

Unlike Mr. Trump, each newly-elected president in the last 24 years saw his favorable ratings improve between Election Day and his Inauguration.  In Nov. 1992, Bill Clinton’s favorable rating was 58% and his unfavorable rating was 35%.  In Jan. 1993, his numbers improved to 66% and 26%, respectively.  When George W. Bush was first elected, his favorable/unfavorable numbers were 53%/43%.  By the start of 2001, his numbers improved to 62% favorable and 36% unfavorable.  In Nov. 2008, Barack Obama’s favorable rating was 68% and his unfavorable rating was 27%.  In January 2009, those numbers improved to 78% and 18%, respectively. 

It is difficult to maintain high favorable ratings over the course of a president’s term.  At the end of just their first years, Messrs. Clinton and Obama saw their favorable rating fall to 55% and 56%, respectively.  Mr. Bush is an exception (his favorable rating jumped to 87% at the end of his first year).  Mr. Trump begins his presidency with a favorable rating under 50%.  He must focus and deliver on the promises he made on the campaign trail, especially on the economy and jobs.  If he does not before his first year ends, his numbers could fall to dangerous levels and supporters grow frustrated.

Related PollingNews

Placeholder polling news
April 24, 2025 |
Polling News
Next week will mark the 100th day in office for President Donald Trump’s second term. Gallup found that Trump had an average 45% approval rating for this first quarter, higher than his 2017 first quarter approval rating, but lower than the rest of the pos...
Placeholder polling news
April 17, 2025 |
Polling News
A new NBC News poll shows that President Donald Trump has grown the “Make America Great Again” base, with more registered voters saying they’re part of the MAGA movement today than at this time last year.  ...
Placeholder polling news
April 10, 2025 |
Polling News
It has been about one week since President Donald Trump declared “Liberation Day,” announcing broad tariffs on our trading partners.  ...
Placeholder polling news
April 03, 2025 |
Polling News
The latest CBS News poll showed Americans want President Donald Trump to focus more on the economy and less on tariffs.  ...
Button karlsbooks
Button readinglist
Button nextapperance