Trump's second election campaign feels markedly different from his first, primarily because there is a palpable shift in public sentiment and open support for him across society. Unlike his initial run, many supporters felt the need to be discreet, and there were times I felt like I was giving a password to enter a speakeasy when asking someone (through coded language) if they supported Trump.
While the polls did still miss something of a “hidden Trump supporter” vote, support for Trump was noticeably different this time around, with celebrities (who are actually relevant) feeling comfortable backing him - and that’s not to mention the Trump dance sweeping the nation. The enthusiasm isn't just limited to his core supporters; it has permeated various demographics, creating a diverse coalition from groups Democrats simply took for granted.
Trump hasn’t even taken office yet, and his approval rating is ten points above his maximum approval rating (of 49%, according to the Gallup poll) when he took office. In the latest CBS News/YouGov poll, 59% of voters approve of how Trump is handling his transition - despite constant fearmongering from the media about his picks.
In reporting on the data, CNN’s senior data reporter Harry Enten noted that 59% of voters approve how Trump is handling his transition - with his net approval rating jumping from +1 at this point in 2016 to a whopping +18 today. Clearly, the media’s endless fearmongering has rendered them the boy who cried wolf to an increasing share of the American public.
Enten observed: “You go back to November 2016, look at this, he was just at +1 point. That’s well, well, well below the historical norm. Look where we are today, significantly higher, +18 points. That’s 17 points higher on the presidential transition net approval rating. The bottom line is this, if 8 years ago people were lukewarm on Donald Trump, at this particular point they’re giving him much more of the benefit of the doubt and a lot more Americans are in love with this transition. This is much more [what] meets the historical norms where normal presidents get a boost coming out of that victory and what we’re seeing here is Donald Trump’s presidential transition is getting a thumbs up, and dare I say two thumbs up from the American people.”
Don’t miss the Dan Bongino Show
