Cairo: Hani Kamal El-Din
Washington – Opinion polls in the United States have shown that President-elect Donald Trump’s popularity has increased following his initial decisions after winning the election. The results indicate that most Americans, including many Republican voters and independents, have welcomed his early plans, which have simultaneously raised concerns among some political circles in Washington.
A Rise in Public Support
According to the latest opinion polls, Trump has seen a surge in popularity compared to his pre-election standing. Data collected by FiveThirtyEight, owned by ABC News, shows that 45% of Americans now support Trump, reflecting a 4.1% decrease in opposition compared to the period before the election.
In contrast, President Joe Biden’s popularity has rapidly declined, with his disapproval rating rising from 40% to over 54%. Many of his former supporters, particularly from the Democratic Party, are showing signs of disillusionment, reflecting a drop in political trust after the election.
Public Approval of Trump’s Early Actions
What has caught the attention is the strong support for Trump’s early actions. According to a joint survey by Harvard University’s American Political Research Center and The Harris Poll, 54% of respondents approved of Trump’s early decisions, while 40% disapproved. Among the supporters, 91% were Republicans, 49% were independents, and interestingly, 22% were Democrats. This contrasts sharply with the support Trump received in 2016, when less than half of Americans approved of his early actions following his election.
Appointments and Reforms: The Public’s Approval
The actions that have won over many Americans are the announcements of his key appointments, which have stunned both Washington’s corridors of power and the leading media outlets. Trump has named heads for all 25 U.S. departments and key agencies, including his appointment of Elise Stefanik as U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations. Furthermore, Trump revealed plans to establish a new government efficiency department (Department of Government Efficiency), to be led by businessmen Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy, which will provide advisory recommendations on how to improve the efficiency of the federal government.
Will the Support Continue?
It seems that Americans are eager for change, which explains the significant support for Trump’s early decisions, despite concerns about some of the names he has proposed for key positions. For example, Trump nominated Pete Hegseth, a TV host and National Guard captain, for the position of Secretary of Defense, a post traditionally held by high-ranking military officers. While this move breaks with tradition, it has received backing from many Americans.
Among the nominees, however, former Congressman Matt Gaetz, who was considered for the position of Attorney General, was less well-received and declined the role.
Conclusion
While the “honeymoon” period between Trump and the American public may seem to be ongoing, real challenges will arise when the Senate begins reviewing his nominations and scrutinizing the backgrounds and policies of his proposed appointees. This process is expected to take place by the end of January. However, Trump’s current popularity reflects a public desire for change, an opportunity that he may seek to leverage during his presidency.
Final Thoughts
The central question remains: Will Trump’s popularity continue to rise, or will political and administrative challenges cause a decline? Only time will tell.
