Daijiworld Media Network - Washington
Washington, Mar 28: US President Donald Trump’s popularity has reached an all-time high, with a growing number of Americans believing the country is on the right track, according to fresh polling data.
Despite still holding a net favourability rating of -4%, Trump’s numbers have significantly improved over the years. In March 2017, his rating stood at -10, and after the November election, it was at -7, as per aggregate polling compiled by CNN analyst Harry Enten.
Offering what he termed a ‘reality check’, Enten pointed out that Trump is now enjoying his highest favourability rating compared to any point during his first term.
“All we talk about is how unpopular Donald Trump is,” Enten remarked. “But in reality, he’s more popular now than at any point in his first term and even more popular than when he won the election in November 2024.”
Enten further highlighted that Trump’s current numbers indicate a steady upward trajectory. “He is closer to the peak than the bottom,” he said, adding that Trump’s approval ratings have historically been underestimated.
One of the key indicators of Trump’s growing popularity is the rising number of Americans who feel the country is moving in the right direction. A recent Marist survey revealed that 45% of Americans share this belief, marking the second-highest figure recorded by the pollster since 2009. Similarly, an NBC News poll recorded 44% of respondents expressing optimism—the highest level since 2004.
“The percentage of Americans who say we’re on the right track is through the roof,” Enten was quoted as saying by the New York Post.
Although Trump is not eligible to run for re-election, Enten underscored the importance of these numbers. “If you compare this to historical re-election trends, 42% of Americans believing the country is on the right track has been a key factor in incumbent party victories,” he said.
Before former vice president Kamala Harris lost to Trump and the Democrats lost their Senate majority, only about 27-28% of Americans felt the country was on the right track.
With the 2026 midterm elections approaching, the current trends appear to strongly favour congressional Republicans. “The generic congressional ballot looks much more like a Republican win than a Democratic one,” Enten noted.