- Less than half confident that Trump can handle several duties
- Solid majorities were confident in Obama, Bush and Clinton
- Greatest confidence in Trump’s ability to handle economy, work with Congress
PRINCETON, N.J. — As Donald Trump prepares to take the presidential oath on Jan. 20, less than half of Americans are confident in his ability to handle an international crisis (46%), to use military force wisely (47%) or to prevent major scandals in his administration (44%). At least seven in 10 Americans were confident in Barack Obama, George W. Bush and Bill Clinton in these areas before they took office.
Confidence in Presidents-Elect to Handle Presidential ResponsibilitiesNow I’d like you to think about […]’s ability to handle a number of things over the next four years. Please tell me whether you are very confident, somewhat confident, not too confident or not at all confident that […] can … ?
Trump Obama Bush Clinton % % % % Prevent major scandals in his administration 44 74 77 n/a Handle an international crisis 46 73 71 70 Use military force wisely 47 71 78 n/a Manage the executive branch effectively 53 84 77 n/a Defend U.S. interests abroad as president 55 75 n/a 65 Handle the economy effectively 59 n/a n/a n/a Work effectively with Congress to get things done 60 89 74 n/a % Very/somewhat confident; poll dates: Trump (Dec. 7-11, 2016); Obama (Jan. 9-11, 2009); Bush (Jan. 15-16, 2001); Clinton (Nov. 10-11, 1992, and Jan. 8-11, 1993) Gallup Americans express somewhat more confidence in Trump to work effectively with Congress (60%), to handle the economy effectively (59%), to defend U.S. interests abroad as president (55%), and to manage the executive branch effectively (53%). But even in these areas, Americans are far less confident in Trump than they were in his predecessors, when comparisons are available.
The results for Trump are based on a Dec. 7-11 Gallup poll. They are consistent with prior Gallup polling showing Trump having a much lower favorable rating than prior presidents-elect and a much lower approval rating for how he has handled his presidential transition.
The deficits for Trump versus the average for his predecessors range from a low of 15 percentage points on defending U.S. interests abroad to a high of 32 points for preventing major scandals.
Deficit in Confidence for Trump vs. Prior Presidents-Elect to Handle Presidential Responsibilities
Trump Average for Obama, Bush and Clinton Trump deficit % % pct. pts. Prevent major scandals in his administration 44 76 -32 Use military force wisely 47 76 -29 Manage the executive branch effectively 53 81 -28 Handle an international crisis 46 71 -25 Work effectively with Congress to get things done 60 82 -22 Defend U.S. interests abroad as president 55 70 -15 % Very/somewhat confident; confidence in handling economy not asked about prior presidents Gallup Among the seven issues tested in the poll, Americans are most confident in Trump to work effectively with Congress (60%) and handle the economy (59%). Trump will have the benefit of working with Republican majorities in both the House of Representatives and the Senate. However, Obama and Bush — both of whom also took office with a friendly Congress — engendered even greater confidence than Trump in this area.
Trump’s business background may contribute to Americans’ relatively positive expectations for his presidential performance on the economy. The economy was also a relative issue strength for Trump during the campaign.
Via Gallup