Public Optimism Surges to Historic Highs Under Trump’s Second Term

Polling shows 44-45% of Americans believe the country is on the right track, the highest levels in decades, despite Trump’s negative net favorability rating.

Recent Marist and NBC News polls reveal that 45% and 44% of Americans, respectively, believe the country is on the right track, marking historic highs since 2009 and 2004.
Donald Trump’s net favorability rating has improved to minus four points, better than during his first term and the 2024 election, though it remains negative overall.
The current level of public optimism aligns with historical trends seen during periods of incumbent party reelection, according to analysts.
In contrast, only 27-28% of Americans felt the country was on the right track following Kamala Harris's 2024 election loss.
Polling experts highlight that Trump’s popularity has often been underestimated in surveys, adding context to the recent data.